Talk to me about buying pianos

[MrsFogi]

So dd needs a piano (the rubbish keyboard is not going to cut it any longer!). Can anyone give me any pointers (I have no idea about buying pianos). We have underfloor heating (although not really on in the room the piano will live in) but understand that it's better to have a "real" rather than "digital" piano. We could fit a mini-grand in the room but I suspect a decent one costs more than a car. I'd like the piano to suit going through all the grades (i.e. I don't want to have to replace it if dd continues through all the grades).
Generally any pointers on where to start, what to look for, how much I should expect to pay, where to shop gratefully received. We're in SE London.

There's a piano shop in Dulwich which is very good. They will also recommend a tuner. I got mine from there (think it was about £2500 for an upright, second hand).

This probably isn't what you want to hear...but often you see them advertised on Freecycle / Gumtree freebies if you can transport it (a sticking point for many, I suspect). Get it tuned and see how much DD uses it for 6 months at least before investing in a new one.

Markson pianos in Albany street are great, we got ours there - told them our budget and they showed us plenty within it and we could play them as much as we liked.

I can't find them on google. I'll try to dig out the invoice tomorrow.

A good upright will be better than a lot of baby grands, so if space is an issue, go for an upright. Take independent advice. Piano tuners often know when there are decent second-hand pianos coming on to the market, or will look out for one for you. Ask your DD's teacher - they may well have local knowledge/contacts and may be willing to come to the shop with you to advise.
There are a lot of really awful old pianos being given away free in local press etc. To be honest, a bad piano is a very de-motivating thing to play, and getting hold of an old clunker could put your DD off completely.
There are a lot of very good digital pianos (88 keys, weighted keys, sustain pedal minimum spec, get a Yamaha or Korg) that cost a fraction of the price of an acoustic and will do a perfectly adequate job for years. Ultimately, you get what you pay for. A decent piano that is looked after (regularly tuned and kept in a stable temperature/humidity) will retain its value and can be sold on.

totally recommend Hilary Martin he lives in Orpington but works in London. He has loads of info on his website including a video explaining difference between types of pianos

Underfloor heating is not good for a piano.

Yes, acoustic piano is FAR superior to an electric "piano".

Get a 2nd hand piano from a piano store, where they can vouch for it.

Pianos age very well. A 40 year old piano is not something to be shunned. In fact, older pianos can be much better, as Seiler were made Germany some decades ago and now they are outsourced to Asia (China? Indonesia?)

I think there is a place in Sydenham that sells pianos?

We are planning on getting a decent weighted keyboard for DD, we don't have room for a piano but would love one!

I got mine from the Piano Warehouse in Surbiton.

When we are at a loose end we go to the Yamaha shop on Wardour St to play all their digital and acoustic pianos.

I would definitely go for an acoustic one if there is space.

Rent one first. Buying on is a huge commitment.

Nothing wrong with a weighted,digital piano for a child to practice on ime. Have a read up on them. I bought one after reading an article about a professional musician saying he practices on one in hotel rooms in between concerts. I'll see if I can find the article.

blog.reddogmusic.co.uk/2012/12/20/4-reasons-why-digital-pianos-are-better-than-acoustic-pianos/

Can't find it but this is worth a read.

Definitely don't go for weighted digital -they are not the same. The four reasons given in above article hold no sway at all for someone who wants to play classical piano repertoire.

Also don't be tempted by baby grands unless you have money to burn and want the look - they will always cost a lot more than an upright to get an equivalent tone.

If you want a degree of versatility, consider an acoustic piano with digital hook-up. This enables the piano to be used with headphones. The touch remains the same. Yamaha have got a great range.

Go and have a play at the Yamaha store on Wardour Street.

I have a "silent piano" - acoustic which allows electronic pick-up at the press of the middle pedal. So normal piano that you can play at night. Except you can still hear the thumping of the keys.

The one thing I find frustrating about digital pianos is the lack of sound. And the lack of sturdiness.

Weighted keyboards are horrible Sorry. They are incredibly unpleasant to play and make especially the Baroque repertoire (Bach, Handel, Rameau, etc) very difficult due to the trills and ornaments.