All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[i3mum]

Hi markfch,


Thanks for your help. I will have to look out for the points that you have mentioned.

markfch:

Hi i3mum,

I don't have much experience with 2nd hand pianos (as I got mine new) but I guess this is what I'll check.

1) The sales person told me that a 20+yr U3 can last for 80 years, due to the wood which was made during that time. And a brand new U3 can last for only 30 years.
Just like a piece of wooden furniture, I read that some well taken care pianos are known to last 100 yrs. But some parts such as the hammerheads are 'wear & tear' parts and will need to be replaced once they are worn out. Regardless of whether it is 30 or 80 yrs, I feel that if you can enjoy playing the same piano for 20 yrs then it's very good value for money already.

2) And if we were to compare a 10 + years U3 & a 20+ years U3, the better choice is the 20+ years U3. Are these true?
Given the same price, I'll take the 10+ yrs U3 anytime.

6) Does a 2nd hand piano comes with a certificate to state it's age, place of manufacturing & etc?
No

7) Does anyone know is there any website to find out the age of the piano by keying in the serial no?
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/Text_WithCatMenu_XC.html?CNTID=12173

8 ) Is there anything I should look out for/ or ask when getting a 2nd piano?
Basic sanity checks include:

1) Opening the top piano cover and check for rust & worn out hammerheads
2) Playing every key (white & black) and check for stuck keys, sound tonal quality
3) Check that all keys are level.
4) Press all pedals to check for smooth mechanism.
5) Look behind the piano and check for cracks in the soundboard.
6) Open the lower part of the piano at the front and check whether heater is working.

Actually the most impt thing to verify is whether whoever is playing it likes the sound and touch of the piano.

[sleepy]

markfch:

2) And if we were to compare a 10 + years U3 & a 20+ years U3, the better choice is the 20+ years U3. Are these true?
Given the same price, I'll take the 10+ yrs U3 anytime.

i3mum

Ditto markfch

Have you checked the latest brand new U3 prices? I think there's some promo for U3 silent recently. No need to buy silent version. Ask about the usual U3 and compare the delta between new and old. If a brand new one at say $10K and a 20+ year at 4.5K, depreciation is only $275 per year (assume 20 years) :!:

For me, I would opt for a new one. Not worth paying $4.5k for such an old piano, regardless of what the salesman told me

[i3mum]

Hi sleepy & markfch,


I have a budget to get for a piano, not intend to get a new U3 because it is still too expensive for us :oops: .. will source for other younger U3.

sleepy:

i3mum

Ditto markfch

Have you checked the latest brand new U3 prices? I think there's some promo for U3 silent recently. No need to buy silent version. Ask about the usual U3 and compare the delta between new and old. If a brand new one at say $10K and a 20+ year at 4.5K, depreciation is only $275 per year (assume 20 years) :!:

For me, I would opt for a new one. Not worth paying $4.5k for such an old piano, regardless of what the salesman told me

[verykiasu2010]

sleepy:

markfch:

2) And if we were to compare a 10 + years U3 & a 20+ years U3, the better choice is the 20+ years U3. Are these true?
Given the same price, I'll take the 10+ yrs U3 anytime.

i3mum

Ditto markfch

Have you checked the latest brand new U3 prices? I think there's some promo for U3 silent recently. No need to buy silent version. Ask about the usual U3 and compare the delta between new and old. If a brand new one at say $10K and a 20+ year at 4.5K, depreciation is only $275 per year (assume 20 years) :!:

For me, I would opt for a new one. Not worth paying $4.5k for such an old piano, regardless of what the salesman told me

the problem is that depreciation is not straight line

from $10k to go down to $4.5k will probably takes only a few years

if a 10 year old piano costs $4.5k and and 20 year old piano costs $4k....we can say the depreciation is only $500 over 10 years, or $50 a year

for this reason I chose second hand piano when I am not sure how long my child's enthusiasm in the musical instrument will last. if the enthusiasm is long lasting, it is easier to trade in the second hand one for a brand new one or a newer second hand one, or even upgrade to a second hand / new grand and that will minimise loses

(just my own opinion, not meant to advise anyone)

[markfch]

verykiasu2010:

for this reason I chose second hand piano when I am not sure how long my child's enthusiasm in the musical instrument will last. if the enthusiasm is long lasting, it is easier to trade in the second hand one for a brand new one or a newer second hand one, or even upgrade to a second hand / new grand and that will minimise loses

It's definitely more prudent to buy a 2nd hand piano when we are unsure of our kids' long term musical interest. But I feel that those 2nd hand pianos must still be of a decent quality. There were some pianos I tried out previously. When I pressed the keys, the touch & the tone made me cringe and I know I'll never touch them again even with a nine foot pole.

[verykiasu2010]

markfch:

verykiasu2010:

for this reason I chose second hand piano when I am not sure how long my child's enthusiasm in the musical instrument will last. if the enthusiasm is long lasting, it is easier to trade in the second hand one for a brand new one or a newer second hand one, or even upgrade to a second hand / new grand and that will minimise loses

It's definitely more prudent to buy a 2nd hand piano when we are unsure of our kids' long term musical interest. But I feel that those 2nd hand pianos must still be of a decent quality. There were some pianos I tried out previously. When I pressed the keys, the touch & the tone made me cringe and I know I'll never touch them again even with a nine foot pole.

of course of course, that has to be the condition precedent, else more money :moneyflies: :moneyflies: :moneyflies:

[i3mum]

Has anyone heard about Singapore Piano Shop/ bought a 2nd hand piano from there before?


http://www.pianoshop.sg/en/main.html

Any feedback :?

[joewosh]

…

[markfch]

i3mum:

Has anyone heard about Singapore Piano Shop/ bought a 2nd hand piano from there before?


http://www.pianoshop.sg/en/main.html

Any feedback :?

Sorry never heard of them before. I surfed the website you posted. Seems that for new Yamaha/Kawai pianos, the prices listed are much higher than that of the main local distributors. Maybe those are RRP (recommended retail price) before discount.

[i3mum]

Hi markfch,


Thanks for your reply. I just happened to google and found this link.

thanks for your help.

markfch:

Sorry never heard of them before. I surfed the website you posted. Seems that for new Yamaha/Kawai pianos, the prices listed are much higher than that of the main local distributors. Maybe those are RRP (recommended retail price) before discount.