https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:39:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-used-piano-what-to-look-for#post-2171835 Fri, 08 May 2015 10:15:26 +0000 Umbreon 2171835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you! I just sent an email to them asking if it's been used much in recent years and when it was tuned last. </p> <p>This is very helpful information! We have factored in the cost of moving. We will have an estimate done on those costs before committing to buy anything. </p> <p>@shellio: I thought about the electric piano, but getting a used one is more cost efficient. I would want one that mimics the real thing as well, and the prices I've seen are pretty expensive. </p> <p>@mrbee: We don't plan to move, so hopefully we'd only have to pay the moving costs the one time. The piano we're interested in is on the main floor (no steps) so we may consider moving it to our place ourselves, and having the moving company put it in the basement for us. We'll get estimates and see if there's much difference in the cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-used-piano-what-to-look-for#post-2171816 Fri, 08 May 2015 10:04:16 +0000 shellio 2171816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to add that there are ALWAYS upright pianos available for free/next to nothing. Don't feel rushed. When I looked into pianos, it really seemed like moving it was the biggest and costliest consideration. </p> <p>I don't play piano myself but both DH and I hope to take lessons, and we also plan to get all of our kids in piano lessons - DS already takes group piano classes at age 3 and we really see him learning a lot! We play other instruments and get together regularly with some family/friends to play together, so we bought a piano that others regularly play and the kids can practice on. We bought an electric piano to avoid the maintenance (tuning, humidification) issues that others have mentioned, and also because it takes up very little space and can be moved/put away easily when necessary. We specifically looked for one with weighted keys from a reputable brand because we want it to mimic a regular piano as much as possible, and to last us a long time. We've been very happy with it but it cost more than the free upright pianos I see on craigslist a lot. Just another thing to consider! (I guess it is just a keyboard but it feels classier to call it an electric piano, ha ha!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-used-piano-what-to-look-for#post-2171810 Fri, 08 May 2015 10:02:10 +0000 sunny 2171810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also take a look at the felt. If it's really worn, it might need replacing soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-used-piano-what-to-look-for#post-2171794 Fri, 08 May 2015 09:55:24 +0000 Alivoo01 2171794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with all of @mrbee: 's comments. Key resistance is the most important. Run your fingers over each and every key to see if any of them stick.</p> <p>Tuning can always be done. Check the strings look good and test out the dampers/pedals. Make sure they actually work because that'll be extra money for you to fix if they don't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-used-piano-what-to-look-for#post-2171669 Fri, 08 May 2015 08:17:11 +0000 mrbee 2171669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shizaz: The biggest question I would have is, has the piano been used recently by someone who loved it? If someone's been practicing on it, odds are that it's in decent shape. Pianos need TLC!!</p> <p>I played the piano when I was younger, and the pianos we sold after I went to college were all in good shape. I see a lot of pianos just sitting there gathering dust for decades, and would be reluctant to buy one of them. We tuned our pianos 2-3 times a year, and had dehumidifers running constantly in the basement (where one of the pianos was). That stuff makes a big difference!</p> <p>Also if your kids are going to playing the piano, make sure that the keys aren't too hard to press down. The ideal keys (to me) have a little resistance to them, but not too much! If the action on the keys is too stiff, that can be tough for younger students.</p> <p>Last thought: there's no such thing as a free piano, unless you have a truck and friends who can help you move! Generally you have to pay to move it twice: once into your home, and then again later on (pianos are hard to sell). If you factor that into your calculations though, you should be fine.</p> <p>Good luck!! Excited for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-used-piano-what-to-look-for#post-2171650 Fri, 08 May 2015 08:06:35 +0000 Anagram 2171650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shizaz: I really want to buy a piano, too--for the same reasons! We kind of have space issues, so we'll wait until LO is closer to 4. I would just ask if they had it serviced and tuned regularly and would go ahead and start looking for a pinao moving company/tuner now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-used-piano-what-to-look-for#post-2171642 Fri, 08 May 2015 07:57:35 +0000 Umbreon 2171642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello everyone! I have been thinking about getting a piano for awhile. I used to play when I was younger and would love if my children could learn. </p> <p>I found an ad for someone selling their piano for next to nothing. What should I look for when I go see it? I would obviously play every key to make sure it sounds okay and there are no sticky keys. I would try out the pedals to make sure they work. </p> <p>I would look inside the piano to make sure nothing seems out of the ordinary. </p> <p>Is there anything else I should look for or asking about?</p> <p>Also the ad says it needs tuning.. if it ends up being REALLY out of tune, is that a bad sign? </p>