Looking to buy a new piano

scared2mosh · 05-08-2009, 07:58 PM

I've been looking to buy a new piano for a while now (probably secondhand), but recently I've been entertaining the idea of refurbishing my current piano. Here is my dilemma... my current piano ( an old Sohmer & co. upright) is at least 50 years old... to make matters worse I got it for free when my church threw it out. So basically they left it outside under a pavilion for a week or two then it sat in a moving van for a month plus we have moved several times since I got it (about 5-6 years ago). According to the sticker inside it hasnt been tuned for about 30 years (which is really bad considering how heavily it's been used).

So the cons are that it's old, it's out of tune, the action needs to be adjusted, the two front legs should be replaced or fixed, and it needs to be painted.

The pros are that it was once a very valuable piano, the tuning board is still in good condition, and it's been free until now...

Being that I have become more serious about music lately and that I will be starting several new students I think I should just get a new piano rather than refurbishing it.

What are your opinions, and what brands would you recommend?

thanks
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scared2mosh

scared2mosh · 05-13-2009, 11:47 PM

I took some pieces off of the pianos main frame to see if I could get more info...

It was made in roughly 1966 and its model number is 163999 45 SK... does anyone know how I could get more info on it's original value based on that?

ps the internal components seemed to be in really good condition... also based on some writing I found inside there was some professional work done on it as late as '93... still that's not that good.

PontiusPirate · 05-14-2009, 12:41 AM

Look around online. There are a few sites that can give you a quote. You can also find an appraiser.
PianoWorld.com can give you an idea as well, based on the age/condition/make.

Folk_guy · 05-14-2009, 09:04 PM

Call a local piano technician (try to get references), pay him to tune and evaluate the condition of the piano to see if it's worth putting money into. Original cost isn't much of a factor to consider, current condition is. It will take a professional to evaluate wether it is worth sinking money into or not. As far as brands for new pianos go, you can't go wrong with Yamaha, or Baldwin (both are popular with schools, and institutions, and they hold up very well). I'm sure there are other brands but those would be my first two choices.

Nate · 05-15-2009, 09:11 AM

Pianos are ridiculously varied instruments. I wouldn't dream of recommending a piano on brand name alone. I've played great Steinways and absolutely terrible ones, both of them here at my university where they've been kept in tip-top condition. It's all about action, tone, feel, etc.

Go play around pianos in your price range and find the one that seems best to you.

scared2mosh · 05-15-2009, 11:12 AM

the problem is that my mom wants to throw or give away my piano and by some used piano off of craigslist for 350 bucks... I'd be better off keeping what I have.

Nate · 05-15-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scared2mosh

the problem is that my mom wants to throw or give away my piano and by some used piano off of craigslist for 350 bucks... I'd be better off keeping what I have.

Not necessarily.

I'm probably going to buy a used piano off of craigslist once I have room for one.

Maybe $350 is a bit low for a budget, but used pianos are certainly a reasonable option for someone looking for a piano.

Go and play whichever ones look interesting and see if one speaks to you.

PontiusPirate · 05-15-2009, 11:54 AM

I just sold my piano on Craigslist. Don't knock it.

crazymoose · 05-15-2009, 12:06 PM

Hmm... well if you're below about a grade 7/8 Royal Conservatory level, you could go for a good digital piano. We got our digital about 8 years ago, and it lasted me until grade 8 RCM, which was the year I started noticing the problems with it compared to a real piano. If you get a good one I imagine they're cheaper and better now. Oh and they never need tuning and they usually have a decent number of sounds. Though unlike a keyboard it does feel very similar to a piano.

Just something to possibly look in to.

Folk_guy · 05-15-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

Pianos are ridiculously varied instruments. I wouldn't dream of recommending a piano on brand name alone. I've played great Steinways and absolutely terrible ones, both of them here at my university where they've been kept in tip-top condition. It's all about action, tone, feel, etc.

Go play around pianos in your price range and find the one that seems best to you.

I would have to agree, that you can't go on brand name "alone". I recommend playing any instrument before buying.

scared2mosh · 05-16-2009, 11:18 AM

I dont mind the craigslist idea... its the 350$ or less that worries me...

also I have looked at electric pianos, but I dont like em that much