Used Vs New: How to Choose the Right Instrument For You
July 17, 2025 by Sophie
Choosing a piano — whether upright or grand — is so much more than a musical purchase.
Whether it's a child's first upright, an upgrade to a grand piano, or the return to a beloved instrument after years away, choosing the right piano can shape your musical journey for decades to come.
It’s a deeply personal journey that combines aesthetic preference, tonal quality, craftsmanship and financial considerations. Thoughtfully exploring piano brands across price ranges helps you discern the tonal palette, action quality, and character that resonates with your playing aspirations.
Along the way, lies a challenging question: Should you buy new, buy used from a reputable dealer, or take your chances with a private seller?
With rising costs, an increasingly competitive secondhand market, and a dizzying number of options, the path to piano ownership can be quite a puzzle.
This guide invites you to enter the piano buying world with greater clarity and confidence.
"Even the same make and mode will be different. Like a car, each piano has its own feel." Reddit User
Why Piano Brands Matter — A Soundtrack to your Soul
Every piano brand offers a distinct voice. From the bright, clear attack of a Yamaha U‑series to the warm tone of a Bluthner, to the nuanced , solo voice of a Steinway your instrument becomes an extension of who you are as a musician.
- Entry‑Level Journeys often begin with brands like Yamaha, Young Chang, Knight, Kemble or Kawai. These pianos are carefully engineered to balance affordability with reliable tone and touch.
- Mid‑Range Ambitions lead players toward instruments like Yamaha U‑series, Bechstein, Boston, and Kawai uprights or smaller grands. These pianos shine with richer resonance and nuanced touch, well suited to advancing pianists and serious amateurs.
- Concert‑Level Creations Steinway, Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Shigeru Kawai and Fazioli are examples of acoustic excellence. Their soundboards, action regulation, and legacy craftsmanship make them aspirational investments for performers and collectors alike.
Pianist Priorities:
What Defines “Perfect”?
- Touch & action quality: How the keys feel beneath your fingers, the press weight - components for expressive playing. Touch and responsiveness bias are deeply subjective.
- Tone spectrum: How does the piano sound from bass to treble? - Personal preference is key with some preferring a bright tone while others more velvety
- Size & acoustic fit: Uprights (120–130 cm) and baby grands (under 160 cm) suit smaller spaces; grands deliver greater power and dynamic control — but need more room.
- Performance Level: Serious pianists may prefer the nuanced action of Steinway, Bechstein, Kawai’s Shigeru line, or Bösendorfer, known for concert-level touch and tone.
“ Take your time. Play every piano… keep coming back until you find it.”
Reddit User
Considerations When Buying a Piano: New vs. Used from a Dealer vs. Used from a Private Seller or Auction
The sparkling allure of a brand new piano, with unworn hammers and untouched keys, can be deeply tempting — especially when bundled with long manufacturer guarantees. On the other hand, buying used can deliver exceptional value especially as well-maintained grands and uprights often age gracefully and dealers usually bundle in-store warranties.
Buying a New Piano - Pristine with a Price Tag
Let’s start with new pianos. You get a warranty—often 5 to 10 years from the manufacturer — often with professional delivery, tuning, and post-purchase support. For those unfamiliar with piano mechanics, this can provide tremendous peace of mind. You know exactly what you’re getting: a modern action, even touch, stable tuning pins, and decades of trouble-free use ahead.
But new doesn’t mean perfect for everyone. The price tag for a quality upright can easily start at £6000GBP. For budget-conscious musicians or families unsure of long-term piano commitment, that can be difficult to justify, especially when high-quality used options exist.
Used Pianos from a Reputable Dealer - A Balance of Security and Savings
These businesses strike a compelling balance between security and savings. A dealer who specializes in used pianos employs technicians who inspect each instrument, tune regulate the action, revoice hammers, check the soundboard, and replace worn felts and strings. They usually offer warranties - though shorter than factory ones, and many include delivery. With a dealer, you have a partner, someone who can answer questions, offer advice, and handle adjustments or repairs should they arise in the early months of ownership. While prices are still higher than private sales, they’re often substantially lower than new. For example, a well-maintained used Yamaha U1 from a dealer might cost £4,000 – £6,000, compared to £8,999+ for a new one.
More importantly, established dealers pledge their reputation on the instruments they sell. This fosters a relationship of trust. They can help you compare brands side by side (that physical experience is invaluable), understand tonal differences, and assist in choosing an instrument that matches your playing goals and environment.
“I loved knowing I could call my dealer if anything felt off in the first year. That peace of mind made the slightly higher price well worth it.”
Claire, adult beginner, London
Buying from a Private Seller or Auction - The Wild Card
Buying used from an auction or a private seller from an online platform or word of mouth may offer deals but also comes with significant risks. Unlike dealers, private sellers rarely offer warranties or delivery services. There’s no legal protection or quality assurance. A “well-loved” piano might sound romantic on paper but could be hiding structural issues like a cracked soundboard, worn-out action, or loose tuning pins.
Be prepared to factor in additional costs - transport £200+, Technical Inspection £80+, Tuning and Regulation £80+ and unforeseen repairs.. For this option, an inspection by a qualified piano technician is highly recommended.
“If it’s been sitting around, not being maintained, not being tuned, it could take a lot of expensive work to get it in working condition… Those dirt‑cheap (or even free) pianos… are almost never worth the money you end up having to put into them.”
Reddit User
So how do you choose?
The answer depends on your priorities:
- Do you want peace of mind and long-term support? New or dealer is your best bet.
- Are you looking for value with a little homework? A used piano from a reputable dealer can be ideal.
- Do you want to maximize your savings but are comfortable taking on risk and inspection costs? private seller or auction could work — but caution is essential.
In the end, the “best” piano isn’t necessarily the newest or most expensive. It’s the one that feels right under your hands, sings when you play it, and makes you want to return again and again
New vs. Used Pianos from Dealers: Real-World Price Ranges & Brand Insights
When navigating the piano marketplace, the range is vast, with instruments starting from hundreds of pounds and soaring well beyond six figures. But what do you actually get at each level? And how does a new piano compare with its used counterpart from a reputable dealer?
Upright Pianos: New vs. Used Dealer Comparison
* prices accurate at time of posting
Entry to Mid-Level Uprights (Beginner to Intermediate)
Brand Examples: Yamaha, Kawai, Essex (by Steinway), Pearl River, Ritmüller
New Price Range:
- Yamaha U1 : around £8999
- Yamaha U3: around £10,999
- Essex EUP-111: around £9749
Used from Dealer:
- Yamaha U1: £3995 – £5500
- Yamaha U3: £4999 – £6500
- Essex EUP-111: £3600 – £7450
Key Insight: The Yamaha U1 and U3 are particularly strong used buys. These models are legendary for durability and resale value. Many used U1s from Japan are reconditioned and sold by reputable dealers at 40 – 60% off retail.
Grand Pianos: New vs. Used Dealer Comparison
Baby Grands (Beginner to Intermediate Players)
Brand Examples: Yamaha GB1K, Kawai GL-10, Essex EGP-155, Ritmüller GH160
New Price Range:
- Yamaha GB1K : £9995 - £10,750
- Kawai GL-10 : £7500 - £11,400
- Essex EGP-155 : £16,400
Used from Dealer:
- Yamaha GB1 : £6995 - £8500
- Kawai GL-10 : £5500 - £9899
- Essex EGP-155 : around £8995
Key Insight: These models often come into the used market from households or music studios. Dealers typically recondition them. Buyers save 30 – 50% without sacrificing quality.
High-End Grands (Advanced to Professional Use)
Brand Examples: Yamaha C series, Kawai GX series, Boston GP, Steinway
New Price Range:
- Yamaha C3X : £29,000 - £37,400
- Boston GP-178 : £37200 - £38755
- Steinway Model O : £POA
Used from Dealer:
- Yamaha C3 : £13,500 - £17,995
- Boston GP-178 : £14,995 - £17,495
- Steinway Model O : £20,000 - £56,995
Key Insight: The used high-end market offers extraordinary value These pianos are built to last and age gracefully. Rebuilt Steinway grands from top dealers can also provide vintage tone with modern reliability.
Besbrode Pianos: One of the UK's Largest Piano Retailers
Our extensive showrooms occupy four floors of a Georgian mill on the edge of Leeds city centre. Our collection showcases more than 250 professionally vetted, new and pre-owned pianos from leading brands. This impressive inventory offers pianists an unrivalled opportunity to play and compare pianos side by side. We offer expert guidance, reasonable pricing, and a guarantee of quality.
New Grand and Upright Pianos
Besbrode is an authorised dealer for Feurich and Wilh Steinberg
- Manufacturer's Warranty – 5 year warranty as standard
- A range of colours and finishes – a perfect fit for any space
View our current inventory of new grand pianos
View our current inventory of new upright pianos
Pre-owned Grand and Upright Pianos
A collection of more than 150 professionally vetted, models from leading brands.
- Warranties – 12 month to 5 year warranties depending on model
- A wide range of brands in different finishes – examples to suit any decor
View our current inventory of pre-owned upright and grand pianos
At Besbrode Pianos, we offer a welcoming, relaxed environment to explore our extensive piano collection. We invite you to compare pianos from a wide range of brands and manufacturing eras — from antique treasures to modern classics.
Appointments ensure you have space and quiet to test instruments thoroughly — just you and the music.
For pianists seeking an extraordinary instrument with character, precision, and soul, Besbrode’s collection offers an unparalleled selection in the UK.
