New piano advice.

[lunar1]

We have an electric piano with weighted keys for the three years my eldest has had lessons for.

He has just done grade three, in the practice room they had an acoustic upright. He played the pieces well on it, but as he was taken into the exam room he was shaking his hands and commented after about the difference in playing.

His teacher has said it's probably time to upgrade the piano. Any advice or recommendations from people who know what they are doing? I know I could get a second hand one very cheaply but I'd have no idea if they would be tunable so I'm not sure if I should just bite the bullet and buy a new/reconditioned one with warranty.

Depends on budget. But we got a second hand Yamaha (tend to hold their value) from www.markgoodwinpianos.co.uk . Lots of good advice on the website even if you don’t use them.

We have a cheap unbranded upright (and a modest digital) and was good enough to take my children up to grade 8. The complain a bit and ideally would have a better one but fine for practice. They have lessons at school with better pianos but still not amazing and occasionally get to play on high quality grand at recitals.. Our cheap upright does tend to out of tune but not too bad. So I don't think you need to spend a huge amount of money. One of the big piano shops will sell decent second-hand pianos that won't break the bank and will take care of transport.