I have $2500 to spend on an upright piano. I know from research that I need to get the tallest piano I can. I'm 40 years old and am a relative beginner. My son is 9 and I would like him to learn too. I know I am looking at a used piano. What is recommended in this price range? I'd like to get something quality that will last my family a long time. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

What you'll find depends on what's in your local area. It might take some time.

Look for something from the 90s or younger. I would expect Young Chang or Samick brands in this price range, and maybe the occasional lucky find of a Baldwin Hamilton. Kawai and Yamaha in this price range tend to be older.

Is a Pearl River UP118 a good choice for $2995?

Hi kinsale, and welcome to the Piano World Forums!

I'm not much on giving advice about buying a piano, but I still like to offer my .02

At your price point, you may be better off looking for a nice quality pre-owned upright. New full size uprights can cost upwards of $5K to $8K and more, depending on the make.

I've seen some nice, name brand uprights in your price range on Craigslist and eBay. Of course, there is more work and responsibility on your part if you buy used. However, you might check out the used stock at a local piano dealer.

If you want a new piano, you might get a nice console upright of a brand made in China; and there is nothing wrong with a Chinese made piano.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Rick

In terms of sound quality, taller is better...but considering your budget and desire for a piano that will last you for many more decades, you may need to compromise a bit to get one in good condition (or of a reasonable age).

Is that the price for new? It's fair. I've only encountered the nicer T series, though. Nice pianos for the money.

Would I buy a Pearl River T1/T2/T3 over a used Young Chang? Hm, maybe.

Actually, this statement raises a flag:



As a beginner you aren't likely going to be spending 2 hours at the dealer trying to decide between the finalists. You simply don't have that much music you know to audition the pianos with . What you could do is buy a piano based on reviews and reputation and play it safe. But you wouldn't know if you'll really like the tone or touch once you progress with your piano skills.

My recommendation is to save some money and depreciation risks and buy used with the expectation that your first piano won't be your last piano.

I totally understand this issue based on experience with other instruments (ones that cost a heck of a lot less than pianos!) and have opted to rent a quite decent piano for around $40 per month. A fine alternative to buying and selling (or trying to sell) to get your money back out.

Unlike yourself I don't particularly know if I want to own a piano for the next few decades. But if even I were dead certain I'm in no position to know a piano I really like from one that's just OK. If I do end up buying a piano 6-12 months down the road I'll only be out a few hundred dollars in rental, delivery and pickup fees. Less than the transaction costs in buying and reselling a piano.

P.S. I asked the piano dealer if there were any limit to how long you can rent on a month-to-month basis. He said he has one customer who's been renting the same piano for 20 years now. Frankly, at $40/month for a piano that sells for $4,000 it doesn't seem all that silly an idea...

$9600 in rental fees over 20 years on a $4,000 piano? At least get on the rent-to-own plan before sinking that kind of extra money in!

I don't think many people rent a piano for 20 years but my point is it doesn't work out all that much worse than it would have to financed the purchase. It's a equivalent to about a 10-11% interest rate over that period, seems like a lot at the moment it I'll bet it didn't back around 1990...

Hey if piano "rent" never goes up like apartment rent, then it's a great deal!