Buying a Piano
A bit of Help and Advice on Buying a Piano

Acoustic Pianos

The Acoustic Piano produces sound by striking steel strings with felt hammers that rebound allowing the strings to continue vibrating at their individual resonant frequency. These vibrations are transmitted through to a soundboard, which amplifies each of the notes. Although not portable and often expensive, the acoustic pianos feel and sound is still superior to ANY digital piano. Click Here to see our range of acoustic pianos.

Straightstrung Overdamped Pianos

The Straightstrung Overdamper Piano generally are smaller and cheaper than overstrung pianos. With vertical strings & dampers above the hammers, we sell and rent these as beginner pianos, and are suitable upto grade 5 or 6.

Depending on the make, model, and quality of these pianos, prices start from £650.00 for a restored & re-polished straightstrung upright or £20.00 per month on a 12mth rental contract.

Overstrung Underdamped Pianos (This is what your Piano Teacher will Recommend)

The Overstrung Underdamper Piano, all new pianos made today are overstrung (base strings cross over the treble strings) & underdamped (the dampers are under the hammers as opposed to a overdamper where the dampers sit above the hammers), these are superior when compared to a overdamped piano stopping each note virtually instantly, depending on the individual piano these are suitable for beginners to accomplished pianists.

Depending on the make, model, and quality of these pianos, prices start from £850.00 for a restored & re-polished overstrung upright or £25.00 per month on a 12mth rental contract.

BUYING NEW

In general, if you find a reputable piano retailer, buying a New Piano should be no problem. The choice of piano is yours, and the amount you pay will in
general determine the quality of the instrument. When you find a piano that satisfies your needs, purchase the one you have tried, as another of the same
make and model could be quite different in touch and tone.

BUYING SECOND HAND

Once again, buying from a reputable retailer should not be a problem, as the Second Hand Pianos will have been professionally restored where necessary, and it should be covered by a warranty. However, beware of poorly restored pianos, or instruments with only 'cosmetic tidying up' sold as'fully restored'.

STRAIGHTSTRUNG OR OVERSTRUNG?

Straightstrung or Overstrung: In a straightstrung piano, the strings run parallel to one another throughout. An overstrung piano has the bass strings
running diagonally across the piano, crossing over the treble strings - hence overstrung. Overstringing is preferable, as the strings are longer than is
possible otherwise, and this produces a much better tone. If a straight strung overdamper piano is in good condition, it can be satisfactory.

OVERDAMPENED OR UNDERDAMPENED?

Overdamper or Underdamper: In an overdamper action, the hammers (the action parts which strike the strings) are obscured from view (when looking into
the top) by a wooden rail holding the dampers (the action parts which press on to the strings to stop them from sounding). An underdamper action has the dampers located beneath the hammers and they are usually much more effective than overdampers.

SOUNDBOARD AND BRIDGES

Soundboard and Bridges: The soundboard is the varnished wooden panel which can be seen underneath the strings. The bridges are lengths of wood, glued
to the soundboard, into which metal pins are driven. The strings run over the bridges and between the pins. The vibration of the strings is transmitted to the soundboard by the bridges, and this produces the sound you hear.

All information in this table taken from http://www.pianotuner.org.uk