A quick google search suggests this is a highly sensitive top secret question! It is not. But it can be complicated.
You are probably only going to buy one piano in your lifetime! You can do a tremendous amount of research for one purchase decision of the many thousands you will make this year. This article is to give you the confidence that your piano purchase will be the best value for your dollar. This purchase is a long term investment.
Let us get started. Pianos come in all shapes and sizes. Uprights and grands, new and used, digital (electric) and acoustic.
Upright Pianos: A new upright piano is going to cost $4000 and up.
The factors that determine the price are the grade of the materials used, which affects the quality of the touch and, most importantly, the sound. Where the piano is made and the reputation of the manufacturer also comes into play.
The advantage of a new piano is that the purchase price includes a 10 year warranty, delivery and one in home tuning, as well as a matching bench. The bench is almost always included when a piano dealer purchase is from the manufacturer. Do not be deceived in it being an additional cost.
Sometimes piano stores and sales people may offer a piano at a lower price BUT then add the delivery at an extra cost, bench at an extra cost and even the home tuning at an extra cost. Now that great deal is no longer a great deal.
A quick history Lesson:
One hundred years ago there were over 200 piano makers in North America.
Then, in the1960’s, Japanese pianos started coming into this market. Piano manufacturers were not equipped to adjust and make quality pianos at the same price the Japanese did. Over time hundreds of piano makers closed their doors.
So how come we still have so many names on pianos?
Great question! The handful of piano manufacturers left bought the rights to the names from the failing piano makers. One piano manufacturer can now distribute the same piano sometimes with minor variations, and sometimes without variations, with several different names on it. It is a savvy way to sell more pianos, but very confusing to the purchaser. These are called STENCIL PIANOS.
“Stencil pianos” are classified as companies who own, license, or manufacture brands of pianos, different from their own company name, or brand.
If you have enough money you can get pianos with your name on them. Not all piano manufacturers do this, but it is an aggressive market and this is one way to stay in the game.
Grand Pianos: A new grand piano is going to cost $9000 and up
Grand pianos come in many sizes 4’7″ (baby grand pianos) to 9′ (concert grand pianos). At the entry price you must ask yourself: why do you want a grand piano? If this piano is considered more as part of the decor, perhaps a statement piece where the piano will be played sporadically, then get the entry baby grand. If this is for a student or an intermediate player, get a good upright in this price range. A mediocre piano will always be a mediocre instrument. A quality instrument will always be a quality instrument.
Digital Pianos: A new digital piano will cost $1500 and up
Digital pianos have some fantastic advantages: they never require tuning, they are much lighter and can be used with headphones. Digital pianos have served a great purpose in the last 30 years. All those 100 plus year old, never looked after, can’t hold their tune and cannot be fixed pianos are now being replaced by digital pianos. Alleluia! But it is not all rosy talk. Digital pianos are technology and technology depreciates like your phone or your computer.
This certainly does not cover everything but it is a start. I wish you a pleasant journey as you select the best piano for your needs, and I hope that you find knowledgeable sales people who will listen to your questions and recommend the best piano for you.