Why Cheap New Pianos Often Disappoint
A cheap new piano often disappoints because its low price has to be paid for somewhere, usually in the materials, the action and the time and skill spent building and finishing it. At the same money, a good used piano from a quality maker is frequently the better instrument. The word new is reassuring, but it is not the same as good.
We say this as a shop that sells new pianos as well as used ones, so it is not a sales line. It is simply what we see, and we think buyers deserve to hear it plainly.
What you are really paying for in a piano
The price of a piano reflects real things: the quality of the timber and other materials, the precision of the action with its thousands of parts, the care taken over voicing and finishing, and the skill of the people who built it. A fine piano is expensive because all of that is expensive. When a new piano is offered very cheaply, that money has to be saved somewhere, and it usually shows in how the piano plays and sounds.
Where the corners get cut
On a budget new piano the compromises tend to appear in a few familiar places. The action can feel light, vague or uneven, which makes it harder to develop good technique. The tone can be thin or harsh, and less pleasant to listen to over time. The instrument may not hold its tuning as well. And it may simply not last as long. None of this is obvious in a showroom in the first few minutes, which is part of why these pianos disappoint only later.
Why a used piano can be the better buy
Here is the comparison that matters. For the price of a cheap new piano, you can often buy a used piano that was built to a genuinely higher standard in the first place. A good piano from a respected maker, even one that is some years old, was made with better materials and more care than a budget new instrument, and a quality piano lasts for decades. So the used piano can play better, sound better and last longer, despite being older. Age is not the measure. Quality is.
The cost of a disappointing piano
A disappointing piano carries a hidden cost beyond the money. A poor action and a thin tone make practice less rewarding, and that matters most for beginners, who can be quietly put off playing altogether by an instrument that does not respond well. The piano is meant to encourage the player. A good one does. A poor one can do the opposite.
What we would suggest instead
If your budget is modest, our honest advice is not to chase the cheapest new piano you can find. Look instead at good used upright pianos in the same price range. You will usually find a better-built, better-sounding instrument, and bought from a specialist it still comes with delivery, tuning and a guarantee. If you do want a new piano, that is fine, but choose a sound one rather than simply the cheapest, and we are glad to help you tell the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Are cheap new pianos any good?
Many disappoint, because the low price is achieved by economising on materials, action and build quality. At the same price, a good used piano is often the better instrument.
Why is a cheap new piano worse than a used one?
Price reflects quality of materials and skill. A very low new price means compromises. A used piano at the same price was often built to a higher standard, so it can play and sound better despite its age.
Should I buy a cheap new piano for a beginner?
Usually it is better to buy a good used piano for a beginner. A poor action or thin tone can hold a learner back. A sound used instrument from a reputable dealer is the wiser choice.
See the difference quality makes
The Piano Gallery is an independent, family-run piano specialist established in 1980. We will happily show you, side by side, what your budget buys in a new piano and in a quality used one, so you can judge for yourself. Come and compare in our showroom.
The Piano Gallery
13-17 London Street, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7AE
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Any other time by appointment.
Telephone: 01367 244554 | Email: sales@thepianogallery.co.uk