where to buy a second hand piano in London?

[otchayaniye]

Any recommendations? It's not actually for my children, but for me to learn. I used to play lots of music when younger (grade 8 violin and trumpet) but dropped it and really regret not learning the piano (was told when a child i had too small hands, which IS true) Plus my great great grandfather was a famous composer and I feel a bit sad that I don't even play the piano!

I've been left some money by grandfather and would like to spend 2-2.5k on an upright. I have heard that Yamaha practice ones (U1s and U3s) are good and reasonably priced second hand. Although bright. The piano would have to sit on a wooden floor. And I don't want to have to retune it all the time.

I obviously don't play very well so am not the best person to try out the piano and I don't really have anyone I can take with me to try for me.

Just wonder if you have any recommendations of piano dealers in London?

Also, where's good to find a piano teacher, preferably one who will come to my house (have two small children and both me and husband work part time)

I am brushing up my music reading in the meantime!

Thanks for any advice.

I bought Yamaha U1 with money left to me by my dad - its a lovely thing to do and every time I play it makes me think of him and my DM.

Don't live in London, so can't help on the 'where' part, but I know that mine was an ex-school piano from Japan, where apparently they don't 'do' second-hand, so once something gets old, they just get rid and buy a new one, so there are/(were at the time) plenty of them around.

Go to Markson Pianos
www.marksonpianos.com

Very knowledgeable, honest and great advice etc. They have new pianos and a large (rolling) selection of good used and reconditioned pianos. Also you can rent a piano from them for a while with an option to buy later, in case you're unsure and want to try one out.

Good luck!

Where in London are you? I went to Markson's and liked one of their Kemble but because of timing etc at the time didn't manage to buy it. Also Jacques Samuel on Edgeware Road - they sell Kawais. I also went to Little and Lampart in Ruislip, Aaron pianos in Ruislip too - across from Little and Lampart. One of them does imported reconditioned Yamahas - I tried a few that were very nice indeed. I also went to Plaza Pianos in Hanwell - owner is a tuner too. But I bought my piano from the piano warehouse in Surbiton.

i really appreciate it, thanks.

One of my piano students is selling a lovely piano, it's a Reid-Sohn upright, about 12 years old.

se22pianoschool.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/reid-sohn-upright-piano-for-sale-900-excellent-condition/

We got ours here: www.hanna-pianos.co.uk/

We shopped around but got the best service from them. They were really knowledgeable and keen to find out about us in order to match the best piano for our needs.

Try J Reid Pianos - jreidpianos.co.uk . Large assortment of second hand pianos for sale and for rent.

Marksons of course!

I just got a lovely piano from Piano Lobby in Forest Hill, they have loads of secondhand pianos:
pianolobby.co.uk

Worth checking eBay and gumtree websites also, as long as you know how to check whether the instrument is OK when you view it!

What's the opinion on clavinova's versus pianos, in this scenario? I am assuming you're not going to be a concert pianist, otherwise I wouldn't suggest it. I also live in London and this means you don't have to worry about the neighbours so much. No tuning costs. Seem to be able to get a pretty decent one for a grand. Just a thought?

I have a good piano to loan if you are still looking, though I do realise this thread was some time ago!
local.mumsnet.com/hackney/free/126277-1940s-hopkinson-piano

I need to know which famous composer??

You should check out our shop in the Muswell Hill area! >> www.musicmuswell.com/second-hand-pianos-n10-n22/

Just purchased a beautiful YAMAHA piano for my daughter who is now doing grade 5 piano, we went with our piano teacher to several piano shops in central London, but ended up buying a piano just outside of London at a piano showroom called Countrywide Pianos Centre near High Wycombe, Bucks.., really fantastic choice of pianos, by far the best huge choice of pianos we have seen, very helpful staff, and not West 1 prices !! I would recommend them to anyone looking to buy any piano, as we have done so much leg work on buying our second piano which had to be right for our daughter.

local.mumsnet.com/surrey/musical-instruments/285464-mc10b1-yamaha-piano-similiar-to-u1

The Yamaha Clavinovas - the actual clavinova series, and the most recent models, which I think are clp 500 series - compare pretty well with my (cheapish, I.e. 3kish) upright. Cheaper digital pianos otoh don't feel right. Okayish but if you have the money I'd try both a new model clavinova (try both grand piano sounds) and a variety of uprights.

There is a really nice one called www.pianosoflondon.com
they are very knowledgeable and have a good range of pianos. Hope this helps!

Try asking the people at the Sokol Piano Academy as I've heard they are very knowledgeable.

Also going to recommend lovely owner and they know lots of teachers as well..

www.plazapianos.com/

Hello! If you are looking for a online piano lessons, check out www.piano-composer-teacher-london.co.uk

Another one for Marksons.