New Piano or Used?

New Piano or Used paino?
Where's the Free piano sheet music ?

Pianoman answers the Question:
"What does one LOOK FOR in used Pianos ???"

Firstly, it should have a FULL Iron(or Steel) Frame through which the tuning pins are inserted.
When you lift the top lid these pins are instantly visible as horizontal metal "pegs", around which are wound 200 or so wires (strings).

In many older instruments however, the tuning pins were set directly into the wooden plank positioned behind this iron frame.
Any splits/cracks evident between the tuning pins can mean Big problems in tuning.

Next, it should be an 'Underdamper'

Felt dampers stop strings sounding after notes are played. When the Key is released a felt pad returns to rest against the string, instantly curtailing its vibration.

Before 1905 even iron frame pianos featured a rather clumsy OVERDAMPER mechanism as part of the "Action" in which most of the moving parts are housed... photo here

Early 1900's now superseded by the new UnderDamper action.

Compared with today's Underdamper upright Pianos, a century old overdamper piano seldom justifies the cost of repairing frequent breakdowns, is probably full of rattles and will have little of that "Musical Integrity" referred to earlier.

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Expensive to maintain, it may well be unserviceable.
The seller was probably advised to dump it !
"Give it to the church - or the Salvos" (Happily, they're wising up fast...)

So you'll find many such Pianos in Auction rooms. Online too... And in Nursing homes.
And in Kindergartens, Junk shops, Private ads, Garage sales...
Well priced too.
All looking like 'bargains'
but uneven in keyboard feel, awful to play, hard to fix...
And in most cases all you'll be getting is someone else's "throw-away!"

Don't let experience be your teacher. Play safe. Buy an Underdamper!

Finally a word or two about Tuning...

Heed the teachers warning here!
A seller telling a buyer: " but it will sound Better when it's Tuned "
. . . doesn't necessarily mean the thing CAN be tuned!

"Concert pitch" (A440) an international Tuning standard for musical instruments helps identify properly maintained older instruments - those treated to regular visits by a Piano Tuner. A440 is not strictly essential musically, whether you are studying seriously or simply playing for fun.
But the mere fact that a piano is able to hold Concert Pitch, provides some assurance that your instrument can cope with the massive internal tensions imposed by more than 200 fully tightened strings.

Another important reminder -
There are around 4000 moving parts in a Piano.
A nice old piece can be lovely to look at, but the last thing you want is something that looks fine, isn't working properly and won't hold it's TUNE!

Even though prior to your inspection it might have been serviced and tuned, reserve your decision;
Be a little sceptical ... HAVE IT VALUED!
Why not ask the Advisory?
You can talk to Colin or Christine on:
(03) 9783-6439
Indeed, from anywhere in Australia - probably well worth the cost of the call!

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People seem to enjoy our little rides ...
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Disclaimer: Free Piano Sheet Music may require player software (free download)
The Piano Advisory was established to provide a comprehensive service dispensing free information to those interested in the piano;
We don't buy and sell New pianos, Used pianos or Keyboards.
Drawing on his personal experience and preferences, this Australian Pianoman's free piano advice is as unbiased as he can make it and based on more than 50 years of playing all types of keyboard instruments. After 20 years as a professional musician, his knowledge of the various brands and models was subject to further development through retail piano and keyboard sales.
Resident of Frankston, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, CK Mullin " the Pianoman " can often help you find a piano. He is now widely known as Piano Teacher, Piano Tuner, Piano Finder and Piano Expert providing advice and assistance through Victoria's only registered Piano Advisory.
There are however, obvious limits in respect of such expertise.
"My opinions may not always conform with what you may hear elsewhere; I don't know all things about numerous products; I may in fact know nothing at all about a particular type of piano selling in your neighbourhood ... and you might just have to enquire of someone else."

We sincerely hope you can benefit from your visit - you'll find references to Piano Tuning, Upright pianos, Grand pianos, Antique pianos, Pianolas, Used pianos, New pianos, Digital pianos, other musical instruments, brand names such as Yamaha, Kawai, Steinbach, European, Japanese, Korean pianos and others, information about Piano Lessons, Piano tuners, selling, buying, free music tuition including free piano lessons, free piano sheet music and more ...
FOR SPECIFIC ANSWERS Email Colin & Christine at the PIANO ADVISORY

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