Used Steinway vs New Yamaha Grand
A common question for a serious budget: should you buy an older used Steinway, or a brand-new Yamaha grand, for similar money? Both are sound choices, and the right one depends on what you want.
What your money buys
For the price of a good new Yamaha grand you can find an older Steinway that needs some work, or a smaller restored one. For a little more, a well-restored Steinway. The Yamaha is new, consistent, warranted and free of surprises. The Steinway is older, with more character and a stronger name, but its condition and history matter enormously.
The trade-off
A new Yamaha is the safe, predictable choice: you know exactly what you are getting. A used Steinway is the heart choice, but you must buy carefully, because a cheap Steinway often hides costs. Have any used Steinway checked by an independent technician first. See our buying guide.