| When you're just starting out to learn piano a new | | | | it, you have no way of knowing what's causing it to be |
| instrument can be very expensive. Used pianos are | | | | out of tune. Is it just the fact it hasn't been tuned in a |
| often found in great shape and for a bargain price | | | | while? Or is it some underlying issue? |
| compared to what a new model would cost. | | | | 4 – How frequently was the Piano Played |
| Unfortunately all used pianos are not created equal, | | | | Knowing how often a piano was played will help you |
| and knowing the right questions to ask and things to | | | | learn if it was being tuned often enough. A piano that is |
| look for will save you from buying a dud. | | | | just kept around as a decoration can get away with |
| In this article I'll give you six questions to ask a seller | | | | being tuned only once per year, pending the |
| before you buy their used piano. Armed with this | | | | environment is right. If it's played often two to four |
| information you should be able to find a great buy on | | | | times per year is a better rule or thumb. |
| an excellent instrument. | | | | 5 – How was the Piano Stored |
| 1 - What's their Reason for Selling? | | | | Temperate and humidity are the two key factors to |
| Are they buying a new piano? If so, what did they | | | | the best environment for a piano. A maximum of 55% |
| dislike about the one they're selling which they hope will | | | | humidity is acceptable for a piano to be stored in and |
| be resolved with the new model? If the old owners | | | | preferable below 22 degrees Celsius. (or 72 degrees |
| give you a reply such as "It just takes up too much | | | | Fahrenheit). Basements and public storage facilities are |
| space" or "We could use the money" be aware that | | | | usually not ideal locations for a piano to spend any of |
| proper maintenance may not have been done to the | | | | it's life. |
| piano over the years and this will cost you. | | | | 6 – Has the Piano Been moved before? |
| 2 – Who did the maintenance on the Piano | | | | Frequent moving of a piano can result in damage to |
| Knowing that a professional registered piano technician | | | | the instrument whether it be banging it into walls and |
| did the repairs and tuning a piano is a good sign that | | | | stair cases or having to remove pieces to get it to fit |
| the instrument was indeed cared for. If they say a | | | | through tight door ways. Take notice of the location |
| friend did the maintenance, be aware that they could | | | | where the piano is in now. Are there any tight corners |
| have made mistakes that will cause issues down the | | | | or door ways the piano may have had to go through |
| road. If they didn't have the piano maintained then this | | | | to get into the room? If so keep this in mind as a |
| is a sure sign of troubles that will pop up later on. | | | | moving company will charge by the hour and if it takes |
| 3 – How often Was it Tuned? | | | | a while to get the piano out of the room be prepared |
| If you're considering buying a piano which is currently | | | | for a hefty moving bill. |
| out of tune I would suggest don't buy it, or buy at your | | | | Be sure to ask each of these questions of any |
| own risk. Why? Well piano's are supposed to be tuned | | | | potential seller before you buy a used piano. Knowing |
| twice a year. Not adhering to this maintenance | | | | the answer to any one of these questions could save |
| schedule can result in other issues that could cost you | | | | you a lot of money in maintenance bills down the road. |
| later on. Also if a piano isn't in tune when you first see | | | | |
