What to Look for When Buying a Used Piano: 10 Things to Check

Ask when it was last tuned and how long it held pitch afterward. A healthy piano holds tune for 6–8 weeks minimum in a stable environment.

Poor tuning stability usually means worn tuning pins or a failing pinblock. This is one of the most expensive repairs ($3,000–$8,000).

Partially — you can hear whether it sounds in tune, but truly evaluating pin torque requires a technician.

Open the lid and look at the wooden panel inside with a flashlight. You're looking for cracks running along the grain. Then press gently between the ribs (the ridges under the board) — you should feel springiness.

Minor cracks along the grain may not affect tone. Major cracks crossing the grain, or a soundboard without any spring (no crown), indicate expensive repair or replacement.

Visually, yes — you can see cracks. Crown assessment is trickier but you can feel the difference between springy and flat.

Look along the strings at an angle with a flashlight. Check for rust — surface rust (light discoloration) is acceptable; deep pitting is not. Look specifically at bass strings where the copper winding meets the steel core.

Moderately rusted treble strings can be replaced for $2,000–$4,000. Severely corroded bass strings or broken windings mean bass restringing ($1,500–$3,000 for bass alone).

Yes — rust and corrosion are visible to the naked eye. You'll need a flashlight for bass strings.

Play each key slowly, one at a time, across the full keyboard. Listen for ciphers (notes that keep ringing after you release). Check that each key returns cleanly after pressing. Then play each key rapidly 5–6 times and feel whether the hammer catches properly.

Ciphering (notes that don't stop) is a mechanical failure in the repetition mechanism. Some ciphers are minor regulation issues ($500–$1,500 to fix); many ciphers suggest deeper action problems.

Yes — you can hear ciphers and feel keys that don't return. Subtle regulation issues need a technician.

Play a slow scale from the lowest note to the highest. Pay attention to how much force each key requires. The touch weight should be heavier in the bass and gradually lighter toward the treble — but consistently so, with no keys that feel dramatically heavier or lighter than their neighbors.

Wild inconsistency suggests deferred regulation. Light to fix if the action is otherwise sound ($800–$2,500); more expensive if parts are worn.

Yes — your hands will tell you if something is dramatically inconsistent. Subtle irregularities need an RPT.

Open the lid and look at the hammers (the felt-covered wooden heads that strike the strings). They should be symmetrical and rounded, not flattened or grooved. On older instruments, look for deep grooves cut into the felt from string contact.

Moderately grooved hammers can be filed (reshaped) for $300–$600. Heavily grooved or hardened hammers produce a bright, harsh tone and need replacement ($2,500–$5,500 for a full set).

Yes — you can see hammer grooves and flattening by opening the lid.

Press each pedal fully while playing. The sustain (right) pedal should produce a gradual increase in resonance as you press it deeper. It should operate silently. The una corda (left) pedal should shift the action slightly. The sostenuto (middle) pedal should hold only notes pressed at the moment of depression.

Noisy, sticking, or non-functional pedals are usually minor repairs ($200–$600). But investigate why — sometimes pedal problems indicate more serious structural issues.

Yes — you can evaluate all three pedals yourself.

Stand back and look along the keyboard from the side. All keys should be at the same height. Then examine the keytops — they should be chip-free, not yellowed excessively, and without significant wear divots.

Uneven key level is a regulation issue. Missing chips or severely worn keytops may need replacement ($1,500–$3,500 for new keytops). Don't confuse ivory yellowing (normal and desirable) with damage.

Yes — both key level and keytop condition are visible without technical training.

Examine the veneer closely around the legs, case seams, and lid. Look for lifting veneer, cracks in the case, or legs that wobble when the piano is slightly shifted. Check that all leg joints are tight.

Minor veneer lifting is cosmetically annoying but relatively inexpensive to repair. Loose leg joints or structural cracks in the case are serious — they can indicate improper moving or storage.

Yes — you can see veneer condition and feel wobble in legs.

Play the instrument fully, listening for tonal evenness across registers. Notes in the low treble (around middle C up to the second F) should not be dramatically different in character from bass or high treble. Listen for dead notes, wolf tones, or notes that buzz.

Tonal imbalance can be addressed through voicing (less expensive) or indicates soundboard or string issues (more expensive). Buzzes often indicate loose internal components — easily fixed.

Gross tonal problems, yes. Subtle voicing issues need a trained ear.