WHAT ABOUT A USED PIANO?

Used pianos can be just fine, but the vast majority of used pianos that are available for purchase have long since lived their musical life and will no longer serve its intended purpose. Although the cabinet might still look good, failures in major components like the soundboard, bridges and pin-block, or excessive wear of the action parts can make it impossible for a piano to produce proper pitch or reproduce proper keyboard technique. In other words, the wrong used piano can cause a student to fail. Avoid the pitfalls of used pianos by reading our PIANO GUIDE FOR PARENTS.

Most of the reasonably good used pianos we come across are less than 30 years old and sell for $2500 and up. If this is your price range, then you may FIND A GREAT USED PIANO to serve your needs. However, in the under $2500 price range, most of what we usually see are very old and worn out pianos that are completely inadequate to give a beginner a fighting chance to learn how to play. Beyond the failure of major components like the soundboard, bridges and pin-block, the most common and often overlooked reason a piano will cause a student to fail is that the action bushings have simply worn out. Have you ever played an old piano and felt the keys were a little wobbly? This is usually due to worn key bushings. It's normal for these friction points wear and eventually wear out, but it is a problem that is almost never corrected before or after a used piano is purchased because it would represent a significant expense to do so. However, a beginner student will never be able to develop proper technique on a piano with worn out bushings, because the piano will never reproduce the same feel, response, and speed that is being taught during lessons. Imagine trying to learn to parallel park in a car that is out of alignment, with no suspension, and an extremely loose steering system. Worn bushings can truly mean the difference between inspiration or frustration, success or failure.

Will my teacher approve? 

You should check with your teacher first, of course, but we are finding more and more piano teachers have come to appreciate that a top quality digital piano is a far better starter piano than a portable keyboard or an old used piano.  We would never talk anyone out of getting a fine new or newer acoustic piano, but when budget is of some concern, many teachers are in favor of digital pianos as a no-risk alternative to the incredibly risky used piano market. It is certainly well-established that this type of starter piano offers beginner piano students every opportunity for success and will not hold a student back.

How long do they last? and how soon will I grow out of it?

All we really know is that they can last as long as 30 years or more, because many of the original digital pianos are still working today. You may choose to upgrade to another digital piano to get more features or to an acoustic piano to get that true acoustic musical experience, but from a standpoint of piano technique, there is no difference in playing a THE PERFECT STARTER PIANO, or a well-tuned upright piano. By the time you outgrow it, you may find your next step would be a small or mid-sized grand piano.

Can I upgrade if my needs change?

Absolutely. In fact, THE PERFECT STARTER PIANO, like all of our digital and hybrid pianos, comes with a 3-year upgrade policy that guarantees 100% of your purchase price toward any piano that is priced at least twice as much as your first piano. In other words, you will not lose any money when you upgrade within 3 years. 

can I rent IT first?

Yes you can! Artist Pianos has an excellent RENT TO OWN program for this and several other pianos. Rent for 6 months at a time, up to 12 total months. If you purchase the rental piano or an upgrade piano of greater value within the rental period, we will apply 100% of your rental fees toward purchase. There is no easier way to get started with the right piano, while keeping your options open as your needs develop. LEARN MORE.