Buying a second-hand Piano  Singapore Piano City sell used YAMAHA / KAWAI pianos.

Once again, buying from a reputable retailer, tuner or technician should not be a problem, as the piano will have been professionally restored where necessary, and it should be covered by a warranty. However, beware of poorly restored pianos, or instruments with only 'cosmetic tidying up' sold as'fully restored'.

 

Avoid spending as little as possible on a 'Beginner's Piano'

You would not give a learner driver an old car with faulty brakes and bald tyres. A poor piano is as hazardous to the musical life of a learner as a poor car is to the physical life of a new driver. A large piano is usually best, whether upright or grand.

 

The best thing to do is take a piano tuner with you when viewing. (See Find a Tuner on this site to locate a PTA tuner in your area.) A PTA tuner has done training to a college course standard (usually a minimum 3 years) and knows exactly what to look for when purchasing a second hand instrument. He/she will know what pitfalls to expect and how to avoid buying a liability. You will usually have to pay for this service as the tuner does this as part of his/her job and you are using their expertise to tell you whether or not to buy it. With respect (and intending no slur or malice), a piano teacher is not the best person to evaluate the technical side of a piano's workings since most of them only ever interface with a music desk or keyboard and have little or less knowledge of the innards than you may have.