Buying a Used Steinway

A used Steinway can be a wonderful buy, and it can be an expensive mistake. The name on the lid is not a guarantee on its own. This guide walks through what actually matters. We should say plainly that we specialise in reconditioned Yamaha, not Steinway, so we have none to sell you here. That also means we have no reason to talk one up.

Age is the least of it

The serial number tells you the year, and our serial number chart will date it. But age matters far less than condition and history. A cared-for piano from the 1960s can be a better buy than a neglected one from the 1990s.

The five things that set the value

1. Whether it has been rebuilt, and with what. This is the big one. A Steinway rebuilt with genuine Steinway parts, by a workshop that knows the make, is worth much more than one rebuilt with substitutes. Ask exactly what was replaced, and get it in writing.
2. The soundboard and pinblock. Ask whether the piano holds its tuning, and whether the soundboard has been replaced or repaired. These are the costly things to put right.
3. The action. Play every note and listen for evenness. A worn, tired action is common on older pianos and costs real money to sort out.
4. New York or Hamburg. Both are excellent. In the UK a Hamburg piano is more familiar and can hold its value a little better.
5. History and paperwork. A clear history, service records and straight answers are worth paying for. Vague answers are a warning.

What a fair price looks like

Used Steinway prices cover an enormous range, from roughly the price of a good new Yamaha grand for an older piano needing work, up to the price of a car, or a much dearer car, for a well-restored example. Our used Steinway price guide sets out the ranges. The key thing to hold onto is that a bargain Steinway usually is not one. Good pianos, properly restored, cost what they cost.

Always get it seen first

Before you buy any used Steinway at these prices, pay an independent piano technician to look it over. It costs a little and can save you a great deal. A good technician will spot a replaced soundboard, a tired action, or a rebuild done with the wrong parts, none of which shows up in a photo.

Is a Steinway the right choice for you?

For some players nothing else will do, and that is a perfectly good reason. But if you want a fine grand for your home and the budget is causing pain, it is worth hearing a well-reconditioned Yamaha C-series from Japan before you commit. Many people are surprised how close it gets, for a fraction of the money. Our Steinway versus Yamaha guide is a fair place to start.