{"title":"Used Silent Pianos","description":"\u003cp\u003eA used silent piano is one of the smartest buys in the piano world: a genuine acoustic piano with a built-in headphone mode, at a significant saving on the new price. Play it out loud as a normal piano, or engage silent mode and practise at midnight without disturbing anyone. Every used silent piano here has been checked, prepared and tuned in our Faringdon workshop.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSilent systems from Yamaha and Kawai are the best known, and factory-fitted systems on used pianos have proven very reliable. Because the silent mechanism sits alongside a completely traditional action, you are practising real technique on real hammers, which is where a silent piano beats even an expensive digital.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStock changes constantly, so if nothing here suits, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003etell us what you are looking for\u003c\/a\u003e and we will let you know when the right one arrives. You can also browse all our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/silent-pianos\"\u003esilent pianos\u003c\/a\u003e including new models, or read our plain English guide to \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/should-i-buy-digital-or-acoustic\"\u003edigital vs acoustic pianos\u003c\/a\u003e. Come and try silent mode for yourself at the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/visit-the-showroom\"\u003eFaringdon showroom\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bluthner-model-a-silent","title":"Bluthner Model A with silent function","description":"\u003cp\u003eColour: Mahogany Polyester\u003cbr\u003eYear: TBC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bluthner Model A is a premium upright piano that showcases the finest in German piano making. With its rich, singing tone and beautifully balanced action, the Model A offers the kind of musical depth typically found in a baby grand, within a compact upright form. Handcrafted in Leipzig, this model is ideal for serious pianists, advanced students, or anyone who appreciates a warm, expressive sound and exceptional build quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piano has recently had an AD Silent system fitted, supporting silent practice through headphones as well as additional MIDI connectivity. At £8,795, it combines the tonal and mechanical excellence of a named German upright with the practical flexibility of silent functionality. This instrument has been assessed and prepared by our team at The Piano Gallery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable to purchase online or to try in person at our Oxfordshire showroom. Contact us to arrange a viewing or to discuss delivery and finance options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the Bluthner Model A, and where does it sit in the Bluthner range?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bluthner Model A is one of the flagship models in Bluthner's upright piano range, built in Leipzig to the highest standards of German craftsmanship. It is a full-sized professional instrument designed for serious pianists and advanced students who want the warmth, depth, and expressive range of a Bluthner in an upright format. Within the Bluthner upright range, the Model A represents a top-tier choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does the AD Silent system add to this piano?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AD Silent system allows the player to practise through headphones at any time without producing acoustic sound, by intercepting the hammer mechanism before it strikes the strings. A MIDI signal is generated from the keystrokes, which can be sent to a sound module, a computer, or used for recording. The acoustic playing experience is preserved when the silent mode is off, you are still playing the full Bluthner action. The MIDI functionality is an additional benefit for recording and digital music production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does a Bluthner Model A compare to a Yamaha U3 or Bechstein upright?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three are serious professional upright pianos, but with quite different tonal characters. The Yamaha U3 is bright, consistent, and highly reliable. A Bechstein has a more complex, individually characterful German sound. The Bluthner Model A has a particularly warm, lyrical, and singing quality that is considered by many pianists to be the most musical and expressive of the three. The right choice depends on which tonal character speaks to you, we would always encourage you to play all three in our showroom before deciding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs a Bluthner Model A a good investment?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNamed German uprights of this quality are increasingly sought after and have generally held their value well. A well-maintained Bluthner Model A in good condition is unlikely to depreciate significantly and, as the supply of quality examples diminishes, may appreciate over time. The musical value is, however, the primary reason to own one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long will a Bluthner Model A last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA properly maintained Bluthner Model A should give many more decades of outstanding musical service. Bluthner instruments are built to the highest standards of durability as well as musicality, and well-cared-for examples continue to perform at a high level for many decades. Regular tuning, correct placement, and periodic regulation are the simple requirements for keeping this instrument in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bluthner","offers":[{"title":"Mahogany \/ Polyester \/ -","offer_id":55686932857214,"sku":"C1210","price":8795.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/0335\/1316\/files\/D4757C9E-ADA3-48F6-853F-D52A49E93176.jpg?v=1749052410"},{"product_id":"schimmel-k132","title":"Schimmel K132 Silent","description":"\u003cp\u003eColour: Black Polyester\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2016\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Schimmel K132 is a full-sized concert upright piano from one of Germany's most respected piano manufacturers. Standing at 132cm tall, it sits at the very top of Schimmel's upright range and is designed to offer a level of tonal depth and dynamic range that approaches a small grand piano. This example has been fitted with a silent system, enabling practice through headphones via MIDI. Priced at £14,995.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt in Germany, the K132 features a large soundboard and long string length contributing to its powerful, resonant bass and clear, singing treble. The action is finely regulated for precise control, making it equally suitable for advanced students, professional pianists, and institutional use. This instrument has been assessed and prepared by our team at The Piano Gallery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable to purchase online or to try in person at our Oxfordshire showroom. Contact us to arrange a viewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes the Schimmel K132 exceptional among upright pianos?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe K132 is the flagship of Schimmel's upright range, designed to push beyond what most uprights can achieve. At 132cm it has an unusually large soundboard and long string scale for an upright, which gives it a tonal power, depth, and dynamic range that surpasses most baby grand pianos. Combined with Schimmel's precise German action and build quality, it is the instrument of choice for pianists who want the finest upright available from a living manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does the Schimmel K132 compare to a Yamaha U3 or Steingraeber 138?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yamaha U3 is an outstanding professional upright at a significantly lower price point, consistent, reliable, and excellent value. The Schimmel K132 operates at a higher level of refinement, with a more complex German tone and a larger, more powerful acoustic presence. The Steingraeber 138 is the only upright that is generally regarded as the K132's peer in terms of concert capability. Both the Schimmel and Steingraeber are instruments for serious pianists who demand the very best from an upright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does the Schimmel K132 compare to a Bechstein or Bluthner upright?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA top-tier Bechstein or Bluthner upright is an exceptional instrument with a long and distinguished heritage. The Schimmel K132 is a modern concert instrument designed with the specific goal of maximising what an upright piano can achieve tonally and dynamically. Many pianists consider the K132 to deliver more raw power and projection than even the finest historical German uprights, while the Bechstein and Bluthner offer a more traditional, complex tonal character. Both are outstanding choices for the most serious buyer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does the silent system add to the K132?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe silent system allows practice through headphones at any time without acoustic sound, with MIDI connectivity for recording or use with external sound sources. The acoustic playing experience of the full K132 action is preserved when silent mode is off. For a professional-level instrument in a domestic or shared setting, this is a genuinely valuable addition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long will a Schimmel K132 last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Schimmel, built to concert standards with premium materials and German craftsmanship, and properly maintained, should give many decades of outstanding performance. Regular tuning, correct placement, and periodic attention from a highly skilled technician are the requirements for keeping this exceptional instrument in concert condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Schimmel","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ Polyester \/ 2016","offer_id":56858972389758,"sku":"5115","price":14995.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/0335\/1316\/files\/21DECE45-1E17-4618-947A-D40350B6C3E0.jpg?v=1770726447"},{"product_id":"yamaha-u3a-1","title":"Yamaha U3A with silent function","description":"\u003cp\u003eColour: Black Polyester\u003cbr\u003eYear: 1984\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yamaha U3 is one of the most widely respected and recognisable upright pianos ever produced. At 131cm tall, the U3 has a longer string length and larger soundboard area than the U1, which gives it a more powerful projection, greater depth of tone, and an excellent dynamic range, making it a popular choice for advanced students, teachers, and professional musicians alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action of the U3 is highly regarded for its consistency, precision, and responsive touch. This particular example from 1984 has been retrofitted with a silent system, allowing the player to practise through headphones without disturbing others, while retaining the full acoustic experience when the silent mode is switched off. At £6,500, it combines one of the finest used Yamaha uprights with the practicality of silent functionality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis instrument has been assessed and prepared by our team at The Piano Gallery and is available to try in our Oxfordshire showroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable to purchase online or to try in person. Contact us to arrange a viewing or to discuss delivery and part-exchange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between the Yamaha U1 and U3?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe U3 stands 131cm tall; the U1 is 121cm. Those extra 10cm mean longer strings and a larger soundboard, which produces a noticeably fuller, more powerful sound with richer bass, greater dynamic range, and a tone that begins to approach the character of a small grand piano. For serious players who want the maximum from an upright, the U3 is the natural choice. We stock both and encourage you to play them side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does the silent system add to a Yamaha U3?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe silent system allows you to practise through headphones at any time of day or night, without disturbing others. A bar drops across the hammers so the strings are not struck, and sensors beneath the keys feed the signal to a sound module. You are still playing the full acoustic action of the U3, the feel is unchanged, you just control when you are heard. It is a significant practical benefit for anyone in a flat, terrace, or family home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs a 1984 Yamaha U3 reliable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe early-to-mid 1980s are considered by many technicians to be the finest years of Yamaha U Series production. Craftsmanship and quality control were at their peak. A well-maintained 1984 U3 is a highly reliable instrument with decades of service still ahead of it. This piano has been assessed and prepared by our team and is in excellent playing condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the Yamaha U3 worth choosing over a U1?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor players who are serious about their playing, yes. The U3's bigger soundboard and longer strings produce a more powerful, expressive tone that rewards a player as they advance. If you are working through the grades, play for your own enjoyment at higher volume, or simply want the most satisfying acoustic experience from an upright, the U3 is worth the difference in price. The added silent functionality on this example makes it even more versatile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long will a Yamaha U3 with a silent system last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe acoustic mechanism of a Yamaha U3 is built to last 60 to 80 years with regular maintenance. The silent system electronics are a separate component and may require servicing or updating over time. The core piano, this 1984 U3, is a robust and well-made instrument that should serve its next owner for many decades to come with regular tuning and care.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Yamaha","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ Polyester \/ 1984","offer_id":56891745534334,"sku":"C1230","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/0335\/1316\/files\/50518CE6-259C-40F4-8488-45007BFC42B8.jpg?v=1770823189"}],"url":"https:\/\/thepianogalleryonline.co.uk\/collections\/used-silent-pianos.oembed","provider":"The Piano Gallery Online Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}