Tel: 604-533-2646

 

PIANO BUYING GUIDE

"My wife called me obsessive because I had shopped at all the piano dealers in Vancouver, and had seen "every" piano in our price range. I was initially hesitant to drive out to Langley, but the Fraser Piano Center had some models that I had not seen. Even though I was a budget consumer, Bob spent almost 2 hours with me showing me a number of pianos. No sales pressure, just lots and lots of information. Bob took apart the pianos so I could see the parts inside and was very kind to play plenty of music on each piano so I could judge the tones and musicality. I visited a couple of more dealers before making my decision to buy a Steigerman Piano. It was the best value by far, sounds great and looks good. I am a very satisfied customer."

- William Lee, Vancouver BC

  1. What is an “Authorized Dealer”?
  2. Should I buy new or used?
    1. Used
    2. New
  3. What about these classifications of Vertical pianos?
    1. Spinets
    2. Console
    3. Studio
    4. Professional
  4. What about the different Grand classifications?
  5. Grand vs. Vertical
  6. Digital vs. Accoustical
  7. Buying Tips
  8. What about buying a piano through an internet marketplace?
  9. What about getting buying advice from an "industry expert"?

1. What is an “Authorized Dealer”?

“Authorized Dealers” are those dealers that have the right to sell certain brands of pianos from either the factory or the distributor representing that factory. These dealers have agreements in place that usually stipulate their selling territory and state whether that territory is exclusive, semi exclusive or non exclusive to the dealer. The direct relationship that the dealer has with the factory is essential for giving the customer adequate warranty coverage should the need arise.

« go back « go back

2. Should I buy new or used?

A. Used

There are many things to consider when buying a used piano. Although these considerations are by no means exhaustive, the following are among the more important things to evaluate:

  1. How old is the piano?
  2. How many owners has it had?
  3. How and where has it been used?
  4. In what kind of environment has been kept?
  5. When was it last tuned? By whom?
  6. How frequently was it tuned and serviced prior to the last time?
  7. When was it last regulated, voiced and generally
    serviced? Or has it ever been done?
  8. What does it sound and play like?
  9. What brand is the piano?
  10. What model is it?
  11. What is the price?
  12. Are you buying it privately or from a dealer?
  13. What quality of instrument was it originally? How will you confirm this?
  14. What does it cost to buy a similar new piano today?
  15. How well has the cabinet been maintained? This becomes somewhat subjective in a newspaper ad or a telephone conversation. Also, there are different kinds of walnut, mahogany, oak, cherry and ebony finishes to begin with depending on the era that the piano was built in and on the individual manufacturer.
  16. How well has the action and keyboard been maintained? Even a well-intentioned seller may not be aware of what work is really required.
  17. Will the piano meet your demands even after the action has been overhauled, tuned and any other work completed?
  18. What will it cost to repair the piano and bring it up to standard again?
  19. Have you verified the competence of the rebuilder?
  20. Have you had the piano professionally appraised and examined by a qualified technician?
  21. What condition are the hammers in?
  22. Do any of the hammers “dither” or block?
  23. Any sticking keys?
  24. What is the “repetition’ and the “let off” like?
  25. What condition are the bridges in?
  26. What condition is the pedal trapwork in?
  27. What does the torque on the tuning pins measure?
  28. Is the pinblock cracked?
  29. Do any tuning pins show evidence of being “pounded in” or bushed?
  30. Does the piano still have some “power” when you play it? What can you compare it to?
  31. Does the sounding board have any cracks?
  32. Has the sounding board maintained its crown?
  33. Does the plate have any cracks? (including hairline cracks)
  34. Have any of the ribs separated from the soundboard.
  35. Does any section of the piano have weak or dead strings that need to be replaced?
  36. Does it have a matching bench?
  37. Have you found a competent piano mover? Do they specialize in piano moving or is it a sideline? Are they insured? What price have they quoted you?

Needless to say, there are some great deals out there in buying a used piano. If a dealer with a good service facility has properly reconditioned a piano that was originally a good quality instrument and offers a warranty, then you can save yourself some dollars and still end up with a pretty decent instrument.

On the other hand, the dealer may have chosen to take a substandard piano in on trade and do just barely enough work to it in order to make it saleable. This is no great deal either. If you’re considering a used piano advertised on the internet or in the paper then you can expect just about anything. Some private sellers, out of cunning, or just plain ignorance may vastly exaggerate the value of the piano they’re trying to sell. Don’t be fooled. Just because a piano looks good doesn’t mean that you or the seller can position it into its appropriate quality bracket. Also, unlike an aircraft or a yacht, a used piano doesn’t show the number of hours logged on the motor. Pianos used for teaching or institutional work or simply ones that have had extensive daily use by even one owner will not necessarily show their wear from a pedestrian perspective.

As mentioned above, some sellers may have no clue as to the extent of repair and adjustment required. The opposite can also hold true. A seller may have a truly “like new” piano for sale that’s only 5 years old and has, for the most part, just been sitting in their living room, and are willing to sell it for a fraction of the replacement cost. Narrowing down the right used piano that is privately advertised can be both very time consuming and costly at the same time, so please use extreme caution and prudence before making a commitment.

And remember, if you’re buying privately there will be no warranty to cover future eventualities. Also, you’ll have to pay for the moving (could be $150-$350) and the tuning (approx. $100-200) plus any repair, voicing and regulating charges (could be anywhere from $50-$2000 depending whether it’s a grand or vertical). In cases where a new pinblock, soundboard, strings and hammers have to replaced in addition to extensive action work and even refinishing, the cost of the restoration and repair can exceed $6000-$10,000.

Regardless of how good the deal looks, you should always spend a few dollars ($60-$125 depending on your location) and have the instrument checked out by a qualified technician, and preferably one that is also a pianist. If you or your technician are not pianists, then it would be advisable for a pianist to also offer their opinion on how the instrument plays. The sound and the touch are very critical because they will, to a large degree, determine the level of satisfaction, encouragement and rate of advancement that the student will derive from playing the piano. After all, it’s a major investment regardless of your decision.

« go back

B. New

There are also a number of considerations in buying new.

  1. What brand?
  2. What kind of warranty?
  3. What model and size?
  4. Who is going to be playing it?
  5. Is image and status an issue?
  6. Is the manufacturer American, German, other European, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian?
  7. What sound characteristics does it have?
  8. Is it an old established brand with a long standing reputation?
  9. Newer brand with acceptable reputation?
  10. Unknown brand with hardly any reputation?
  11. Where is the piano objectively positioned in the hierarchy of “piano qualities.” Is it “entry level,” “professional quality,” “high performance,” or “ultra high performance”? (see “The Piano Book” by Larry Fine)
  12. How is the piano priced compared with other pianos built in the same country and in that particular quality bracket?
  13. How comfortable and confident do you feel with the dealership?

The above are only a few of the things you want to keep in mind when looking for a new piano. Above all you will need to find a piano with a sound and touch that you can really get excited about, not to mention the aesthetic affect. Remember, every time you walk into the room and look at this large instrument and piece of furniture and then sit down to play it, you should derive a feeling of satisfaction that confirms your original decision.

 

 

 

 

 

3. What about these classifications of vertical pianos?

A. Spinets

No offence to those that own one of the older spinets but I don’t believe it’s helpful to waste a great deal of space talking about this style of piano. To my knowledge there are no manufacturers (at least none of any repute) currently building spinets today. These were short pianos (about 35- 37 in. tall) that were popular between about 1936 and 1965. In order to reduce the size and make the piano compact they were fitted with a “drop action” that sat down largely below the key bed. All other verticals come with a “direct blow action” which is vastly superior in terms of power, repetition, servicing and control. Spinets were a great compromise in terms of overall construction, performance and durability and are one of the least desirable pianos to own. They had small hammers, very short strings and a small soundboard. Also, their actions did not have a positive feel to them. In my opinion these pianos should categorically be avoided by any piano student that is even half ways serious and looking for a decent instrument and some encouragement to play, regardless of price. Spinets were also very difficult to service and I’m not aware of even one European piano manufacturer that ever produced them.

« go back

B. Console

Consoles (sometimes referred to as “furniture models”) are pianos that usually measure about 41in.-43in. in height. They typically have a fancy cabinet with free standing legs and fall into 4 general sub categories: Traditional (round legs), Mediterranean, (octagonal legs), Italian (square legs), French (curved legs). Customers for these pianos usually tend to put a fairly strong emphasis on cabinet and styling and indeed they can really compliment certain room and furniture settings.

Even though these pianos are built with a “direct blow” action similar in design to the larger verticals, they sometimes use a smaller version of the direct blow action and have a less desirable touch than either a studio or larger size professional model. Also, a further compromise is made in that their string length is sometimes shorter and corresponding soundboard size is also smaller than the larger verticals thus affecting their overall performance. On the other hand it should also be mentioned that some manufacturers utilize their basic “studio” size piano and simply put a furniture style cabinet around it to create these “consoles”. Because of their free standing legs, extreme caution must also be exercised in moving them, even a few inches.

« go back

C. Studio

Studio pianos are usually those measuring about 44in. – 47in. in height. They have a taller direct blow action than the console because of the increased string length and bigger sounding board. Because if the improved performance these pianos are ideal for students and home use. Although typically offered in a simple cabinet style with legs and toe blocks they are sometimes available in fancier cabinets. The legs and toe blocks found in just about all studio and professional models offer a more durable style of construction. Some of the “institutional” or “school models” found in this category come equipped with larger dual rubber or nylon casters (for easy maneuverability), locking lid and fallboard and are particularly rugged. They have proven to be equally popular for home use.

« go back

D. Professional

Pianos that belong in this category are generally between 48in. – 52in. in height. Years ago when the old “uprights” were being made, these pianos would sometimes measure up to 58in. and even taller. Nowadays 52in. is about the tallest you can expect a professional piano to be. These pianos have the longest strings and the largest soundboard area of any of the verticals and are designed for the more serious musician or simply for those who would have otherwise chosen a grand but currently have some space and budgetary restraints. However, they can also vary in tone from brand to brand but generally offer a much better touch, tone and volume than their smaller brothers (consoles and studios). With the new scale designs available in today’s market, the taller professional models are the next best thing to a small grand.

Having lived in Germany for 2 years and visiting many piano dealers it became quite apparent to me that the concept of the American 43 in. console is virtually absent from the market. In Europe, where the demand for quality and performance has always been foremost, it is mostly 46in. – 49in. verticals that occupy the vertical market.

« go back

4. What about the different Grand classifications?

  • Decorator Grand
  • Petite Grand
  • Baby Grand
  • Parlor Grand
  • Professional Grand
  • Semi-Concert Grand
  • Concert Grand

Although there have been other names assigned to different sizes of grand pianos throughout history, the list above seems to be generally in use today. These model names have largely been the invention of marketing people and are merely linguistic terms that only have meaning when you pour some specific content into them. Otherwise there seems to be some overlapping as to their definition and description. In North America, as in Europe, the more ideal scales for grand pianos are viewed to start at the 6ft.(185cm) level and up and the more serious students and performers who appreciate the difference very often choose this category, provided that space and funds permit. Otherwise there are also some very satisfactory performers in the smaller sizes.

  • Decorator Grand — These pianos, also referred to as Baby grands, can arbitrarily refer to any of the grands between 4ft. 6in. and 5ft. 4in. (142cm -161cm)

  • Petite Grand — This term can be interchanged with Decorator grand.

  • Baby Grand — This term seems to refer to any of the grands from 4ft. 6in. (142cm) right up to 5ft. 9in. (175cm) depending on whose doing the marketing.

  • Parlor Grand — This term is not used that often today but typically has referred to grands in the 5ft. 6in. to 5ft. 10in. category. Sometimes called “living room grand”.

  • Professional Grand — This seems to be generally used for the larger grands measuring between 6ft.(185cm) and about 6ft. 8in. (203cm)

  • Semi-Concert Grand — These usually measure 7ft. (213cm) plus a few inches.

  • Concert Grand — This term is for pianos 9ft. (274cm) and longer.
« go back

5. Grand vs. Vertical

There is much to be said about the differences between the grand and the vertical piano concept. In a nutshell: Grand pianos have close to 10,000 moving parts in the action compared to about 6200 parts in a vertical action. The grand action is much more sophisticated and not only offers more resistance, but offers a more positive feel to the player. It has different mechanical advantages than a vertical action. A grand action, for example, is able to repeat at a much faster rate than a vertical action. Grand actions, especially the return of the hammers, operate on gravity, whereas in a vertical action, the hammers can only return back to the hammer rail with the help of springs and levers. Dampers is another feature where grands show a distinct advantage over verticals. Verticals have the dampers placed on the same side if the strings that the hammers strike, giving rise to possible overtones, however subtle. Grands, on the other hand, have the dampers placed on the opposite side that the hammers strike but at the same place on the string. The dampers on a grand return to the string with the assistance of gravity rather than relying on the “damper spring” found in verticals.

The most obvious difference between grands (at least with larger grands) and verticals is the size of the sound board, the length of strings and corresponding power and amplification that accompanies these differences, as well as the majestic appearance of the grand. The amount of space that even the smallest grand will occupy will be more than the tallest vertical model. It should also be noted that there can be a HUGE difference between the various manufacturers and the grands and verticals they offer. Some factories have only one standard and one series whereas other factories have several series.

Piano manufacturers assume that the more serious students and musicians will be making greater demands on a grand than on an upright and therefore design and build grands for harder and longer use. Grands are built to finer tolerances and higher standards.

Although there are many great performing vertical pianos, it should be recognized that grands are a different design, and are therefore associated with considerably more parts, a heavier general structure and more hours of labor in manufacturing. In spite of the “action” advantages of a grand, certain premium 52in. vertical pianos from high-end manufacturers can sometimes sound better than a small mediocre baby grand from a less prestigious factory.

« go back

 

6. Digital vs. Accoustical

A. Digital

Although a digital piano is designed to replicate the sound of an “acoustic” or “traditional” piano through synthesis, there are vast differences between them. Digital pianos develop their array of interesting sounds by utilizing electronics such as computer memory and computer chips. Some models use “sampled” sound which has been essentially recorded from a real piano. These sounds are memorized and stored in chips located in the boards or circuitry of the piano.

On the surface, at least, here are some advantages and disadvantages of each.

Advantages of digital pianos

  1. Can be played with headphones for privacy.
  2. Volume control.
  3. Variety of instrumental sounds (i.e. hundreds of band and orchestral voices.)
  4. Various effects (i.e. rhythm, percussion, ensemble etc.)
  5. Easy to move - Fraction of the weight of an acoustic piano.
  6. Some models have built in sequencers to assist in composing.
  7. Ability to transpose (some models). This allows the player to play in different keys while using the fingering of a key familiar to the player..
  8. Less space required than traditional piano.
  9. Designed for MIDI – can control or be controlled by other electronic instruments and sequencers. Music can be entered into and used in conjunction with a computer to perform computer generated sound and printing of music.
  10. Some come with battery power making them fully portable.
  11. Ability to record your own music using a built in sequencer.
  12. Prices can start anywhere from about $350 and up.
    13. Never needs tuning.

Disadvantages of digital pianos

  1. Become obsolete very quickly making them more difficult to resell.
  2. Depreciation is fast and quite substantial.
  3. Serious piano students will eventually move to an acoustic causing a “second” piano purchase.
  4. Availability of parts for a digital in the future could be risky.
  5. Sound and touch remain different and not as genuine and dynamic as an acoustic piano regardless of weighted keys and sampling quality.
  6. Cabinet and general structure is much cheaper and not as impressive as an acoustic. Lots of plastic and chipboard used in the construction. More difficult to effect cabinet repairs.
  7. Warranty periods are a tiny fraction of that of an acoustic piano. (especially the section that covers labor)
  8. Servicing can be frequent, expensive and the number of trained service people is far less than those for acoustic pianos.
  9. Resistance from many piano teachers as students advance.

B. Accoustical

Advantages of acoustic pianos

  1. Acoustic or “real” pianos produce their sounds naturally and mechanically by felt hammers striking strings and these strings vibrating over a bridge fastened to a sounding board which resonates, acting like a huge loudspeaker. The dynamics of this kind of sound is unique.
  2. Acoustic pianos are more sensitive to touch and musical expression. Players have more ability to “feel” what’s going on as they play.
  3. Better control over sudden volume changes.
  4. Have much more “tonal color” than digitals.
  5. Ability to have sympathetic resonance while playing many notes together.
  6. Most piano teachers will eventually insist on an acoustic version for their more serious students anyways.
  7. Have the ability to add a “player system” which still plays the piano acoustically.
  8. Will maintain its value much longer and usually increase in value over time.
  9. Substantially longer warranty periods.
  10. More beautiful, stronger and more impressive cabinets.
  11. Not subject to obsolescence as their long history has demonstrated.
  12. Easier to repair – more available technicians.

Disadvantages of acoustic pianos

  1. Generally more expensive than digitals.
  2. Are heavier and more difficult to maneuver.
  3. Require tuning at least once a year depending on usage.
  4. Will require regulating and other maintenance approx. every 5-9 years.
  5. Require more space (especially grands).
  6. Volume can be controlled only with the use of the soft pedal and “muffler pedal” (muffler pedal in the case of uprights only).

Having said all of the above I am compelled to advance the idea that regardless of how good the sampling is on a digital piano, or how “similar” they have attempted to make the action with a “real hammer feel” or a “weighted touch”, digitals simply don’t have any “heart and soul”. With all the electronic wizardry of modern technology, digitals, by comparison, are still very artificial sounding. Individual notes sound great, the bells and whistles and sequencers are impressive but they simply lack tonal color. Hitting a note harder on a digital piano usually just produces more volume but with a good acoustic piano hitting a note harder not only produces more volume but also a different tonal color. The dampers, completely lacking on a digital, can be activated gradually or suddenly on an acoustic. This, again, makes a huge difference in how the player is able to express himself musically. When the dampers on a piano are lifted, the strings have the ability to resonate sympathetically with the notes being played. Other subtle affects are also possible with the use of the pedals.

Real pianos actually encourage you to learn how to play and express yourself. It seems that with digitals so much is done for you. Yes, digitals have their place and are a lot of fun, but often the many “features” of digitals can be distracting (especially for young students trying to learn) and they start to rely on them as substitutes of real musical expression. Unfortunately, modern technology has just not been able to successfully synthesize a true piano sound and duplicate the dynamics that can be achieved in an acoustic piano. The marketing gurus have almost got us convinced that digitals can do everything an acoustic can. Well, the fact of the matter remains, that in some aspects they can do a lot more. But what they can’t do is play, feel and sound like a true acoustic piano. Serious piano students almost always end up with an acoustic model.

« go back

7. Buying Tips

Buy from a dealer you can trust, who is knowledgeable, fair, can help determine your needs and has the merchandise that best suits your requirements. If you’re going to be investing in a piano you should know who the store owners are. For what brands are they authorized dealers? Are they in the habit of challenging the competition without any evidence to back up their claims? Do they have an informative web site? Do they have a service department? How do they prep their pianos? (there is a difference)

Unfortunately the piano industry is not unlike so many other industries and professions in that you will find certain individuals (whether store owners or employees) acting in ways and making claims that are not always true, ethical and totally above board.

We at Fraser Piano Center would like to be held accountable and responsible for our actions and for any claims we make about our products as well as the products of our competitors.

Here are some tactics to be aware of:

  • The dealer advertises “sales” that appear frequently — but are they really sales?

  • Does the dealer urge you to decide now because the sale ends in 2 days?

  • Does the dealer continually advertise “loss leaders” at ridiculous prices just to get you in the door and then switches to another model because the other one was “just sold” before you arrived?

  • Does the dealer advertise a used model that the competition sells, shows it in less than ideal condition only to switch to his brands when you arrive?

  • Some dealers offer HUGE discounts off their regular pricing? Are these genuine “regular” prices? Have any of those instruments ever been sold at that so-called “regular price”? Can the dealer show you to whom?

  • Can the dealer show you the MSLP from the manufacturer or does he make up his own?

  • Suggestive language to create the impression the piano perhaps has a “European or American Heritage” when in fact the design and country of origin are quite different.

  • What about the “COLLEGE SALES”? This is an all time favorite that lots of customers fall for. Here’s how it often plays out. A dealer will “loan” (for free) a number of pianos to the music department of some university or college for a year. In return for this favor, the college agrees to allow the dealer to conduct a “college sale” at the end of the year. The sale is presented in such a way that the public is left with the impression that the college is liquidating the pianos they had “purchased” a year ago for their music department and if you’re one of the “lucky ones” that gets there in time, you’ll get the deal of a lifetime.

    In addition the dealer is allowed to move whatever other portion of his floor stock to the college and also include those units in the “college sale,” further leaving the impression that everything at the sale belongs to the college (or at best convoluting the issue). Often these sales are conducted by appointment only and the dealer will sometimes bring in extra outside sales people not even connected with the store conducting and coordinating the sale. The “college sale” is a tactic that is usually associated with a fair bit of pressure in that all the merchandise is only available for a limited time period only (usually about 3 days).

    The urgency factor is further “validated” in that everyone feels that because the college facilities cannot be used indefinitely “these pianos gotta go” and therefore the deal must be great. Interestingly enough, since many of the pianos sold in this manor are usual floor stock, the deal is often no better than having gone to the store yourself and shopped without the pressure. Also, because of all the shuttling back and forth, many of the pianos will not even be properly prepped and therefore not shown at their best. It would be wise to check out what the “real savings” are and on which models.

  • What about “ARMORY SALES” , “REMOTE SALES”, or “WAREHOUSE or MANUFACTURER’S SALES”? There are several variations of this theme but one of the favorite (not conducted in all market areas) is the 3 day piano sale held in some vacant space somewhere. Concentrated ads are run in local papers and hand bills are often fastened to poles or other strategic places.

    The sponsor (hardly ever a factory or distributor) usually remains anonymous in the ads, but be rest assured there’s some piano dealer behind it. Often it’s a dealer completely outside your market area that may not particularly have your interests in mind, especially in terms of after sales service. Very often the ads have a date and a location but no phone numbers, hoping you’ll just show up, or maybe they’ll reveal a cell number with voice mail (in order to get your name for an appointment). Here again, is an “off prem.” event that utilizes urgency and high pressure tactics. Expect to find vastly inflated prices with “HUGE DISCOUNTS.”

    These are well rehearsed road shows that cost the dealer a large sum of money to conduct where product can end up costing more than at a competitive local store. Outlandish claims of value and service usually accompany such events, often with little substance or truth associated with them. One example that was brought to my attention concerned the age of a particular used Japanese piano that was being sold. The customer was persuaded the age of the used piano was accurate because of the appearance of the cabinet and the claims of the salesman. After the piano was delivered to the customer’s home and the customer had time to verify the serial number, it turned out the piano was at least 15 years older than stated. That’s just plain deceitful.

« go back

8. What about buying a piano through an internet market place?

This can be risky business. Here you are leaving the door wide open from everything to getting merchandise that is different from that which was described to outright fraud. Of course there are also legitimate sellers on the internet. However, credit card fraud, identity theft, phantom sellers and buyers that don’t exist, merchandise that doesn’t exist, buying brand names that have no reputation, receiving merchandise much later than expected, receiving merchandise different than what was advertised, sellers that have only an email and no telephone number, service issues, problems with transport companies and , unexpected restoration costs (if used) are just a few of the hazards you can encounter. With a $20 item the risk is low but with a large and an expensive item such as a piano you better be sure of what you’re getting yourself into.

“GETTING A PIANO BRAND NEW OUT OF THE BOX” delivered to your home. Not advisable. There are some cultures (and individuals) in the world which practice this type of piano buying more than others. Maybe it stems from mistrust and skepticism about receiving a piano that is “really new” and so the best way to insure this is to see it come right out of the box on their driveway. Fortunately most dealers will discourage this because it’s not a wise practice. This is not a microwave oven or a freezer. The biggest apparent benefit of this kind of transaction is to the dealer because he saves himself a pile of money in pre-delivery costs. He may even be willing to pass these savings on to you. However, it’s actually detrimental to you and the dealer and rather short sighted on the part of the dealer because it’s critical that the piano be properly prepared before delivery.

Not only do the strings need several tunings (in store and in home) to stretch them properly before they’re settled, but there are numerous other details that need attending to such as regulating, voicing, cabinet preparation and polishing. After all, the piano action alone has between 6500 and 10,000 moving parts depending on whether it’s a vertical or a grand. Add to this the fact that grands are always transported on their sides and some verticals arriving into the country are actually placed on their backs inside the container. Many of the parts are made to extremely fine tolerances and need careful inspection and adjustment.

It’s even possible that the piano may have a more serious factory defect that would demand a complete exchange. Pre-delivery prep can’t be done on the fly and can require up to 12 hours to complete in the store. Is all this going to be done in your home? Remember, the lifespan of a piano is at least 35 - 60 years and beyond. If you buy a new piano from a reputable dealer’s showroom floor that’s been sitting there for 6 months to a year, this is still considered to be a new piano. With a good dealer, it’s received at least 2 tunings, has had all the other adjustments made to it, and has had a total of about ½ hour of playing from brief little demonstrations that have taken place on it. That would be like buying a new car that has a total of 50 Km. on the odometer and wondering whether it’s really new or not.

« go back

9. What about getting buying advice from an "industry expert"?

This can be very useful provided the person you engage is a qualified piano technician, and who can remain objective. Sometimes piano tuners have their own “pet brands” that they prefer and because they’re not familiar with a particular brand, might tend to be cautious or skeptical towards recommending it, not realizing that it might very well be a tremendous instrument. It’s important to determine what the expert will be using as a standard of comparison to make his adjudication.

Piano teachers can also be very helpful in guiding you to the right piano, provided they too, can remain objective and provided their knowledge of pianos goes beyond teaching and that they also understand something about the different brands. From my own experience I have found that there are some (not all) teachers using an older and perhaps even sub standard piano at home to which they have become accustomed. Unfortunately, this has become their standard and what they’re used to and in some cases they cannot recognize the improvement in a piano of substantially superior quality and will therefore not feel comfortable in recommending it. Some music teachers may choose to defer their advise to a technician.

Another variation on this theme is where a piano teacher may simply be brand loyal to their own piano brand (which could be a relatively recent model) and not feel comfortable recommending anything else, even though it might represent much better value than what they have at home. Caution should be exercised with such potential pre-conceived biases. It should be respectfully recognized that some piano teachers are outstanding teachers but that does not necessarily qualify them as good advisers when it comes time to decide on which piano their student should buy. Then again, some teachers will only recommend piano stores (not individual piano brands necessarily) that pay them a healthy commission for referring their students to the store.

This obviously has the potential of blurring their judgment and creating a conflict of interest. Sometimes they won’t even accompany the student to the store to assist them in their selection but simply ask for the commission after the sale has been made. We think it’s probably a good idea if you clarify this with your piano teacher before “taking their advise.” The majority of piano teachers would simply be glad to help their students select the right piano for the benefit of the student, especially if the student has sort of narrowed it down to 2 or 3 (at one location) and can’t quite decide.

At Fraser Piano Center we believe we have a piano for just about anyone’s playing ability and budget and that our instruments can be highly recommended on their own merit. We’re happy to see piano teachers visit our store and become acquainted and confident with our products and service.

« go back