also, this is probably a little bit more rare, but some people are sold on stories behind a piano.. for instance, if you were to find the Knabe owned by Albert Einstein, then it would probably sell for a very high price.

More to the point: What factors should we encourage shoppers to consider when buying a piano?

We all know that the primary concerns should be tone and touch. After all, the instrument’s performance is the most important concern. But what about:

Attention to detail in assembly

How about overall value? Do you really need that large premium make grand to play Christmas carols on once a year?

You mean like integrated microphones in the lid, which is made of carbon fibre composite-type material that can lift and close itself at the push of a button, where a inconspicuous pneumatic system raises and closes it effortlessly and quietly. It has an extra thick and durable cast iron plate for extremely stable tuning stability, precisely tapered soundboard, efficient responsive composite action, with built in player/silent system with a control box under the piano, with high quality speakers situated inside the piano at locations similar to the locations of the concert grand sample. Slow fall fallboard. A down light imbedded in the lid, a electronic music rack with touchscreen that has a SSD hard drive on the back and is connected to the player/silent system, allowing you to play pieces using the player system, record using the silent system. Has speaker output, 2x USB 3.0 and external microphone input for headphone use, fast Data transfer to-from computer, and ability to connect external microphones for high quality professional recording, and can supply 48v phantom power for microphones of such calibre. Durable double casters on thick, calculated solid wooden legs. Humidity regulator that allows for custom humidity adjustments using an intelligent, separate easy-to-use unit. Included in the final purchase is a automatic tuning device where you play and it automatically adjusts the tension to produce the desired tuning. 10 different tunings can be stored in the built in memory. Heavy duty adjustable leather artist bench and storage space, and also a cheese steak cooker! The piano comes in a wide variety of custom finishes, which are custom ordered along with the other gizmos and gadgets.

From Sam Ash and all for $399. It even was "designed and engineered for a realistic piano experience. Just like a Grand piano keyboard"

"Here are the details of the Casio CTK-7000 features:

Multi-track Recorder Capabilities
The CTK-7000 Song Sequencer has 16 tracks plus one system track for recording of up to five songs and a total of approximately 30,000 notes. You get true multitrack recording allowing each individual musical instrument part to be recorded to a different track. The Sequencer also supports punch-in and punch-out spot recording of specific parts of a song and editing recorded data note-by-note.
The CTK-7000 sequencer includes a full selection of professional editing tools including event insert, event delete, event copy, quantize, a locator feature for selecting the range of notes to be edited, and more. A step recording function also lets you input notes by specifying the length and pitch. Completed recordings can be converted to SMF (Standard MIDI File) format and stored to an SD memory card.
32-channel Mixer
Nine sliders, one for each channel, can be used for individual simultaneous adjustment of volume, pan, reverb send, and other parameters. Sound input from an external source via the MIC IN terminal and INST IN terminal can also be adjusted as desired.
Pattern Sequencer
Use the Casio CTK-7000 to create accompaniment patters and rhythm tracks with up to eight tracks (drum, percussion, bass, chord 1 through chord 5). In addition to recording over each individual accompaniment part of an existing rhythm, and event editing function gives you total control, an Easy Edit function lets you combine accompaniment from multiple built-in rhythms to create original rhythms, and mixer capabilities give you control over the tones, volume levels, reverb, and other parameters of each part.
Audio Recording / Playback
Keyboard play, Auto Accompaniment, Song Sequencer play, and sound input via the INST IN and / or MIC IN terminals can be recorded as digital audio data to an SD memory card (not included) inserted in the card slot for later playback. of course, you can play along on the keyboard during playback from an SD memory card. You can also save the files to your laptop with the CTK-7000 keyboard USB connection. Special Data Manager 6.0 application software, downloadable from Casio can be used to convert data to WAV format, which can be played back on a computer. All of this greatly simplifies the task of creating original demo recordings.
Multiple Digital Effects
Built-in effects include reverb (10 types), chorus (five types), and DSP (100 types using 46 effect types including delay, phaser, flanger, wah, rotary, and more). You can apply different effects to a tone to create exactly the sound you want. By adjusting the parameters of the DSP effect types, you can create original DSP effects and store up to 100 original types in memory for later recall. * DSP and chorus cannot be used simultaneously.
Drawbar Organ Function
The Casio CTK-7000 functions as a true electronic organ with 50 specially selected, often-used preset drawbar settings. A few simple operations produce a digital reproduction of powerful, deep drawbar organ sound that is the dream of every keyboardist. A rotary speaker is simulated using a built-in DSP for the distinctive sound effect of drawbar organ speakers. Nine sliders give you the actual drawbar functions in real time for performance. You c an even edit the parameters of the distinctive percussion effect and click sound of a drawbar organ to create original drawbar organ tones, and save up to 50 of your creations in memory for later recall.
Registration
The CTK-7000 keyboard can save 96 complete set ups of all your settings for quick change during live performance. A simple operation saves the current setup, including tone, rhythm, and other settings for instant recall when you need them making this a great instrument for live stage performances.
Tone Editor
Tone Editor can be used to adjust the attack time, release time, cut off, vibrato, reverb, chorus, DSP, and other parameters of the CTK-7000 sounds as desired. You can create distinctively original tones for performances and music creation sessions.
Arpeggiator
With the arpeggiator, you can play various arpeggios and other phrases automatically by simply pressing keys on the keyboard. You can select from 150 different arpeggiato types, including playing arpeggios from a fingered chord, guitar phrases, and more. Think of some of the great uses of arpeggiators as in the Who's Baba O'Reilly.
SD Memory Card Slot
Song sequencer, pattern sequencer, tone editor, and other data can be saved to an SD or SDHC memory card. An Audio Record function can be used to record digital audio data. SMF (Standard MIDI File) data stored on an SD or SDHC memory card can be played back on the digital keyboard.
Input / Output Terminals
Different input/output terminals are provided to meet a variety of different needs: line out terminals (L/MONO, R) for connection of the mixer of a stage PA system or other devices, an INST IN terminal and a MIC IN terminal for connection of a musical instrument or microphone, an audio in terminal (AUDIO IN) for audio device input that can be output through the speakers, and more.
USB Port
The USB port provides easy computer and MIDI send/receive connection. It also enables quick and simple transfer of song sequencer, pattern sequencer, tone editor and other data, as well as audio data recorded to an SD memory card from an audio device between the digital keyboard and a computer. Download of a special Data Manager 6.0 application is required in order to transfer data to a computer. The correct cable is a USB-2 cable with a B connector for the keyboard and an A connector for your computer, such as the Hosa USB200 Series cable.
AHL Sound Source
The sound source is pre-programmed with 800 different digital recordings of acoustic musical instruments using the most advanced digital technology. Thanks to CASIO original sound technology, the AHL sound source is capable of reproducing all of the detail of the original.
You also can store up to 100 of your own original tones for instant recall whenever you need them.
250 Preset Rhythms and Auto Accompaniment
A total of 250 preset rhythms cover a wide range of musical genres, from rock and pops, to jazz, Latin, piano pieces, and more. Simply select the built-in rhythm you want and Auto Accompaniment provides you with backup that is the next best thing to having a professional band at your disposal.
Display
The display shows the currently selected tone name and rhythm name, along with a wealth of other information. On the sequencer screen, for example, you can check the current status and volume level of each of the 16 tracks, and other setting information at a glance.
Piano-Style Keyboard and Touch Response
The keyboard is designed and engineered to provide a realistic piano experience. Just like a grand piano keyboard, Touch Response causes sound that is output to change in accordance with the amount of pressure applied to the keys.
High-output 2-Way Bass Reflex Speakers
A 7W+7W high-output bass reflex 2-way 4-speaker system delivers rich sound from low range to high. The speakers can be used as high-quality monitoring speakers during performances and music creation sessions.
Pitch Bend Wheel and Modulation Button
The pitch bender wheel makes it easy to add realistic sounding guitar choking, sax bending, and other effects to keyboard play. This in combination with the modulation button for applying vibrato and other effects puts a wide range of playing versatility at your fingertips.
Music Presets
Music presets provide one-touch access to Auto Accompaniment, tone, reverb, and other settings that are configured in accordance with representative chord progressions. A total of 305 presets let you easily configure the keyboard for a wide variety of different musical styles. In addition to built-in presets, you can create your own original presets (user presets) and store them in memory for later recall."

C7's take up half a small room, to be more exact. And hours and hours a day is not easy, and actually requires a strong driving continuous determination, otherwise it is not worth your time laying if you are planning on being a professional musician. But it IS a great hobby, though, and fun too!

"Number of hours per day that TV is on in an average U.S. home: 6 hours, 47 minutes" (Source: http://www.csun.edu/science/health/docs/tv&health.html )

Millions of Americans sat down tonight to watch the "X-Factor" for two hours. Imagine where this country would be if they practice the Goldberg Variations for 2 hours instead.

There's plenty of time once you kill your television (and most of your Internet, too! I don't have a "Facebook" for example.)

Millions of Americans sat down tonight to watch the "X-Factor" for two hours. Imagine where this country would be if they practice the Goldberg Variations for 2 hours instead.

Attention to detail in assembly
Stability
Longevity
Reputation
Resale value
Warranty
Manufacturer Support (Are they responsive to service needs? Do they stock parts in the US?)

Feel free to add to the list.
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