How much do we need to spend on a piano?

[thehouseofmirth]

DS1 is only 4 but I'd like to get a family piano now. DH learned piano to whatever you do past grade 8 and although these days he favours electric keyboards he'll want to play it so I can't get a real beginner's piano. How much am I looking at paying for an upright? (On a purely aesthetic level I'd prefer an older, prettier one than a modern one).

[snorkle]

Hmm, the older ones are often quite cheap, but can need very expensive things doing to them. Restringing is often uneconomic these days as the price of copper has gone through the roof, and if the hammers need re-felting they have to be sent to china or somewhere (so my piano tuner/repairer was telling me), so not at all cheap.

I'd guess around £400+ maybe less if you are lucky (I often wonder what state the ones in freecycle are in), but do be careful about making sure it won't need expensive stuff doing soon.

[FAQinglovely]

had it confirmed just how lovely it is by the piano teacher of someone that I was hoping to give it away to.

She was amazed that it's been through 2 moved and not been tuned - yet is still relatively in tune with itself, and apart from the "exterior" (scratches - lots of them) is actually a really nice piano

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The problem with digitla pianos is that most of the cheaper "weighted" ones aren't properly weighted so producing the same quality of playing on a real piano with real weighting often prooves difficult.

[scienceteacher]

I bought a digital piano for about £250.

[hercules1]

We got ours for free. You'll find from time to time people will advertise them free for collection due to wanting to get shot of it.

[Hulababy]

DD got a digitial piano this Christmas, followed by lessons in January. It cost either £600 or £700 IIRR. It has weighted keys, etc and plays like a proper piano. Was recommended to us in the music shop.

[trickerg]

We replaced a 'baby upright' with a digital piano - it's amazing how much room even a baby piano takes up! The digital has the same number of octaves as a 'normal' piano, and, obviously, can be used for digital shinnanigans with your computer! It really sounds very similar, if a little too 'perfect' IYSWIM.

Our piano tuner also told us how much it would cost to restring an old piano, and it was extortionate! So, if you think you're getting a bargain, I would strongly advise you to get an expert to look at it first. A bit like getting the AA to look at a car. I think pianos should probably come with service histories.

My digital piano is space-saving and does it's job, but I do think the inside of a classical piano with all those hammers banging away, is a little bit more special. (I tacitly agree with the purists....)

[thehairybabysmum]

Only on mumsnet could this be a title....fab!!

Sorry OP....no odea though!!

[doubleexpresso]

I bought a very good upright piano earlier this year, via the small ads. The people selling had included a lot of information in the ad and I was able to look up on the maker's website. It is a 1936 piano and cost me 200 to buy, 90 to have it moved about 15 miles and about 50 pounds to have tuned. If you buy one locally then the people selling will be able to tell you who has tuned it in the past, as it is a good idea to use the same tuner. I also have a key board, but for me a 'family' piano is a lovely addition to a home. Hope this helps.