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Is $400 Fair For a Used...

May 28th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

piano? It's a upright console made of oak. Not sure on the age...maybe at least 12 years.

I have yet to go see it. I'm sure I will soon. It's listed on craigslist. I called piano movers today and one said $120 plus $10 for each step. I have 5 steps and she has 3...so $200 to move it to our home.

I will then have to pay to have it tuned before lessons would start for my 8 year old. Did I tell you that DH might want to take some lessons, too?

So...$600 for a used piano...is that a steal or what? I better go see it soon, before it slips away.

Posted in Spending | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “Is $400 Fair For a Used...”

  1. Petunia Says:
    May 28th, 2008 at 11:28 pm 1212017330
    1212017330

    I honestly don't know. . . but I was in a similar position myself a few years ago, with a "free" piano from family members. I sought advice from a piano tuner, who did evaluations of a used pianos. I learned quite a bit about pianos (fortunately the piano tuner was willing to educate me) and decided against the piano. It had a dead soundboard which basically meant that it would never sound very good and also would be difficult to tune.

  2. Broken Arrow Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 04:37 am 1212035860
    1212035860

    I am not a pianist (only played it for 2 years when I was a small child), but I remember that the most important thing is to inspect it and play it for yourself. A well-versed pianist should be able to assess its quality relatively well.... I don't know anything about your musical affinity, but if you happen to know a friend who plays piano, I'd bring them along.

    I've seen really nice electronic pianos with very similar tactile feel as the real thing for about that price.... My sister has one and it works remarkably well (though a real pianist will probably say there's no substitute for the real thing).

  3. monkeymama Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 02:25 pm 1212071126
    1212071126

    Depends on the piano. Wink
    Overall, it sounds like a good deal.

    It may be worth hiring a professional for an opinion.

    My parents bought me a beautiful upright (used) and I believe it was in the realm of $1500. It was a bit on the expensive side and they were unwilling to come down in price, but it was just gorgeous, so we took it. & it sounded awesome. Of course, movers broke the leg. So be careful on movers. They fixed my piano, but it isn't quite the same. Frown
    We looked at some pretty horrid pianos, in the process though. (Those college piano sales are quite the rip off too). I believe that was my college graduation present.

    I know some people are happy just to get rid of pianos for free. May not be the best, but they do the job too.

    But yeah, when it comes to pianos, used is the way to go. Good Luck!

  4. monkeymama Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 04:47 pm 1212079635
    1212079635

    Nevermind. I Was thinking about it and I think my piano may have cost $2500 or $3500. IT was of extremely high quality though. I have to ask my parents now - I forget.

    My memory is failing...

    I am sure for most basic purposes a $400 can be pretty fine though. I don't think most people "need" a fancy piano. IT's the kind of thing, like a car, that you start small and upgrade. IF your daughter blooms into a pianist you can always upgrade later. I took lessons at 6 and my parents didn't buy a piano until I was like 13... When I Was getting bored with the little old organ...

  5. mom-from-missouri Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 07:11 pm 1212088263
    1212088263

    I have one you can have for FREE. In marrying and merging households, we have 3 now...His, mine (to give away) and one that I have at my parents that had been my grandmothers that I will always keep dnd pass down.

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