Why You Should Have a Piano Technician Inspect a Piano Before You Buy It

Buying a piano is exciting. You find one that looks great, sit down, play a few notes, and start imagining it in your home. But there’s a problem: a piano can look and sound perfectly fine and still have some very expensive problems hiding underneath the surface. That’s why, if you’re buying a used piano, it’s a very good idea to have a professional piano technician inspect it before you agree on a price, sign the check, or send that Venmo payment.

A piano is a surprisingly complicated instrument. There are thousands of parts inside, and many of them are subject to wear, movement, changes in humidity, and years of use. Some problems are easy to spot. Others aren't.

A piano might have a beautiful cabinet and play reasonably well, while having issues with the soundboard, bridges, tuning pins, action, strings, or other structural components. These aren't necessarily things you'll notice during a ten-minute test. A technician will know where to look, what to listen for, and, just as importantly, the right questions to ask.

Don't judge a piano by its appearance.

When shopping on the piano market it can be common to see phrases like, "Looks like new", or “Rarely played”, or even worse “Just needs a tuning”... Unfortunately, that doesn't tell you very much about what's happening inside the piano and in some cases can even be a red flag when the seller actually knows little to nothing about the instrument they’ve got.

A few scratches on the cabinet aren't necessarily a problem. In fact, an older (15-45 yo or refurbished) piano with some cosmetic wear can sometimes be a much better buy than a newer piano that hasn't been properly maintained. What matters is the condition of the instrument itself: the playability of the keyboard and action mechanisms, the functionality of the pedal system, the state of the soundboard and ribs, as well as the tunability and tuning stability of the pins and the shape the strings are in.

A technician can help you separate the things that are simply cosmetic from the things that will have an effect on a player’s experience, could impact the way the piano sounds, or may even become expensive repairs sooner or later.

A cheap piano isn't always a bargain

This is probably the biggest reason to get an inspection.

Imagine finding a piano for what seems like a fantastic price–or even, gasp, Free! You buy it, have it moved into your home, and then discover that it needs major work if it can even be repaired at all.

Suddenly, that bargain doesn't look quite so good.

Repairs to a piano can add up quickly. Depending on the instrument, work might include rebuilding parts of the action, replacing strings, repairing structural problems, or dealing with a soundboard or pinblock issue–the costs of which could far exceed even the cost of a comparable piano in much better condition.

That doesn't mean every older piano is going to need thousands of dollars of work. Reputable dealerships who specialize in refurbishing or rebuilding older pianos will have already done this work for you. But you should still know what you're getting into before you buy it. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified technician can give you that information.

What will a technician look at?

Every inspection is a little different, but a technician will generally look at the piano as a whole rather than simply playing a few scales.

They may check:

• The soundboard and bridges

• Strings and tuning pins

• The pinblock

• Hammers and dampers

• The action and other moving parts

• Keyboard and pedals

• The piano's general structural condition

• Signs of previous repairs

• Wear and deterioration

• Whether the piano is capable of being brought to a good playing condition

They can also point out things that may not be urgent today but could become important down the road.

What if the piano is being sold by someone you trust?

Even if the piano is being passed on to you by a trusted friend or family member, it's still worth considering an inspection before buying from them or even just paying to move the instrument into your home. The seller may be completely honest and genuinely believe the piano is in excellent condition. They may have owned it for years and taken good care of it.

But most piano owners aren't trained to identify every problem that can occur inside an instrument.

A technician's opinion isn't about questioning the seller's honesty, nor are they going to tell you whether or not you should buy a particular piano. That's ultimately your decision. Rather a pre-purchase inspection is about getting an independent assessment of the piano before you buy it by giving you a much clearer picture of the instrument's condition. If they find that the piano is in good shape, you'll have more confidence in the purchase. If they find problems, you'll know what you're dealing with. You may decide to negotiate on the price, set aside money for repairs, or walk away and look for another piano. Any of those outcomes is better than discovering the problem after the piano is already sitting in your living room.

Buy with your eyes open.

There are plenty of wonderful used pianos out there. There are also plenty that aren't worth the money, regardless of how good they look in the photographs.Before you buy, have a professional piano technician take a look. It could save you money. It could save you a lot of frustration. And, most importantly, it means you'll know what you're actually bringing home.

You can certainly sit down and play the piano. You can check that the keys work, listen to the tone, and decide whether you like the instrument. But knowing whether the piano has a problem with its pinblock, bridges, action, or soundboard is a different matter. That's where a technician earns their keep. Having someone with the right experience look at the piano gives you another perspective, and it can make the buying process much less of a gamble.

Scheduling an Inspection with Integral Pianos.

Whether you’re buying a used piano from a friend, a private seller, or even a reputable rebuilder or dealership, having a qualified, impartial technician there to make sure all the right boxes are being checked can be the difference between finding your dream instrument or getting stuck with a dud.

You can entrust our expert technicians at Integral Pianos to provide a professional inspection that will ensure your instrument is worth the purchase. Call to schedule an inspection or talk about any other concerns or questions you have in regards to buying your next new-to-you piano with our team today!