What Should You Check Before Buying a Used Grand Piano? Checklist for Choosing a Reconditioned Yamaha Grand Piano

PIANO KNOWLEDGE • PNO-028

What Should You Check Before Buying a Used Grand Piano?

Q: Is a good-looking exterior enough when buying a used Grand Piano?

No. You should also inspect the structure, soundboard, keyboard action, hammers and pedals, and listen to the tonal balance on the actual piano.

Q: Can a 2-pedal Grand Piano be used well?

Yes. A 2-pedal Grand Piano has a Soft Pedal and Sustain or Damper Pedal. A 3-pedal model adds a Sostenuto Pedal.

Checklist for Choosing a Reconditioned Yamaha Grand Piano

Buying a used Grand Piano should begin with the budget you are ready to spend. Then look at the models and sizes that fit that budget, check the available space, remove unsuitable options, and finally try the actual piano, inspect its condition, and evaluate the quality of the reconditioning work.

QUICK CHECK

What should you check before buying a used Grand Piano?

Set your budget first, then choose the models and sizes within that range. Check the room and moving route, then inspect the structure, soundboard, keyboard action, hammers, tonal balance, pedals and reconditioning work on the actual piano before deciding.

6-POINT INSPECTION

6 Things to Check Before Buying a Used Grand Piano

Budget

Set the budget you are ready to spend, then focus on models and sizes within that range.

Space and Placement

Check piano length, lid-opening space, bench position, entrances, lifts, stairs and turning points.

Structure and Soundboard

Inspect the structure, soundboard, tuning pins and strings.

Keyboard Action

Try the full keyboard and inspect the hammers, dampers and pedals.

Tonal Balance

Listen to the low, middle and high registers and the continuity of sound across the keyboard.

Reconditioning

Ask whether the piano has been reconditioned, who carried out the work and what was done.

SIZE & SPACE

Start with the Budget, Then Check the Space

Once you know which models and sizes fit your budget, check which size suits the room, including lid-opening space, walking space and the position of the piano bench.

173

G-2

Space around the piano and playing position.

183–186

G-3 / C3

Lid-opening space and access into the home.

200

G-5 / C5

Room placement and surrounding walking space.

227

Moving route, lifts, stairs and turning points.

Used Grand Piano in a home showing room placement bench position and walking space before buying

INSPECT THE REAL PIANO

What You Should Test on the Actual Piano

CHECK 01

Keys and Action

Play from the lowest key to the highest key and check whether the response feels consistent. Also test the hammer return and the actual key weight.

CHECK 02

Sound and Pedals

Listen to the tonal balance across the keyboard. Test the Sustain / Damper Pedal and Soft Pedal. For 3-pedal models, also test the Sostenuto Pedal.

CHECK 03

Exterior Condition

Check the finish and exterior body as well as the tuning pins and strings. A beautiful exterior alone is not enough, so the internal condition and mechanisms should also be inspected.

Checking the keyboard and pedals of a used Grand Piano before buying

CHURAIRAT RECONDITION STANDARD

Good Reconditioning Starts Before the Piano Arrives in Thailand

The Churairat Recondition Standard begins before the piano arrives in Thailand. The Churairat Music team selects pianos in Japan, looking for instruments with a good foundation in their finish, exterior body, internal structure, keyboard action, hammers and other components.

After import, every piano from Churairat Music must pass the Churairat Recondition Standard before delivery. More than 50 items are inspected and reconditioned, covering the structure, soundboard, keyboard action, hammers, exterior and interior components, tonal balance adjustment and tuning.

Important principle: Reconditioning does not mean replacing every part with a new one. It means inspecting each piano and servicing, adjusting, repairing or replacing parts as necessary.

Grand Piano internal structure strings hammers action and components for evaluating reconditioning quality

ASK BEFORE YOU BUY

Questions to Ask the Seller Before You Decide

QUESTION 01

How was this piano selected and imported?

QUESTION 02

Has it been reconditioned? Who carried out the work and what was done?

QUESTION 03

What warranty, tuning and after-sales service are provided?

QUESTION 04

If you want to change models in the future, is there a buy-back guarantee?

Churairat Lifetime Buy Back Guarantee

Churairat Music offers a Churairat Lifetime Buy Back Guarantee subject to company terms and an evaluation based on the condition of the piano and market conditions at the time of assessment.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a good-looking exterior enough?

No. Inspect the structure, soundboard, keyboard action, hammers and pedals, and listen to the tonal balance on the actual piano.

What should I ask about reconditioning?

Ask whether the piano has been reconditioned, who carried out the work, what was done and whether you trust the standard of the person or company.

Can a 2-pedal Grand Piano be used well?

Yes. A 2-pedal Grand Piano has a Soft Pedal and Sustain / Damper Pedal. A 3-pedal model adds a Sostenuto Pedal.

Is a longer Grand Piano always better?

A longer Grand Piano can offer greater potential in sound power and tonal dimension, but it must still suit the room and intended use.

Does Churairat Music offer a buy-back guarantee?

Yes. Churairat Music offers a Churairat Lifetime Buy Back Guarantee subject to company terms and evaluation.

FINAL CHECK

A Good Used Grand Piano Requires More Than a Beautiful Exterior

A good used Grand Piano purchase starts with setting a budget, choosing models and sizes within that budget, checking the available space and trying the actual piano. Then inspect the structure, soundboard, keyboard action, hammers, tonal balance, pedals and reconditioning standard.

NEED HELP CHOOSING?

Choosing a used Grand Piano but not sure what to check?

Contact Churairat Music for current model availability, pricing, or help choosing a Grand Piano that suits your budget, room and intended use.

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