Are you considering buying a pre-owned Steinway piano? As a world-class piano restoration company with over 100 years of experience, Lindeblad Piano is here to guide you through the process. Having sold Steinways to Taylor Swift, Stephen Colbert, Steinway Artists, Grammy-winning musicians, Concert Halls, Universities, and more, you can rely on the information in this post to help you make an informed decision when buying a pre-owned Steinway. This ultimate guide will help you navigate the options, understand the condition, and make a confident purchase. Whether you're looking for a restored Steinway or a more recently made used one, we'll cover everything you need to know to ensure you get the best value for your investment.
Why Choose a Pre-Owned Steinway?
Steinway pianos are renowned for their quality and craftsmanship, and buying pre-owned can save you significant costs compared to a new Steinway, which can cost $70,000 to $100,000. As Todd from Lindeblad Piano explains in “5 Things You Need to Know” video, "You could save yourself half as much, maybe even seventy percent as much on a used Steinway." This makes pre-owned options popular for those seeking high-quality instruments at lower prices.
At Lindeblad Piano, we specialize in restoring and selling pre-owned Steinways, ensuring they meet our rigorous standards. Check out our Steinway inventory to see available options, backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee and 5–20 year warranties.
Types of Pre-Owned Steinways: Used vs. Restored
When buying a pre-owned Steinway, you have two main options: Used and Restored.
Here's what you need to know:
- Used Steinway: These are original, unrestored pianos, often cheaper but with potential issues. Key areas to inspect include the soundboard, strings, and finish. Used Steinways may not come with warranties if bought privately, so consider dealers like Lindeblad for warranties up to 20 years.
- Restored Steinway: A restored Steinway, like those at Lindeblad, is essentially "A new Steinway at half the price." The restoration process involves refinishing the cabinet, replacing the soundboard, strings, and action with new parts, keeping the harp and cabinet. This ensures quality like a new piano, with significant cost savings. Our restoration tour video shows a virtual tour through Lindeblad Piano's 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art facilities where you can "meet" our team of master craftsmen dedicated to providing and restoring the world's finest pianos.
Five Key Things to Know Before Buying
Todd shares five essential tips in our “5 Things You Need to Know” video which we'll expand on here:
- Explore Your Options: Consider new, used, and restored Steinways. New ones are straightforward but expensive, while pre-owned options offer savings. Our Steinway Piano Buyers Guide covers all types, but this post focuses on pre-owned.
- Check the Condition: Do your homework. For used Steinways, inspect the soundboard for cracks, strings for rust, and the pin block for stability. Todd warns in the video, "I can't tell you how many times I bought used Steinways that were twenty years old, only to find the soundboard was cracked, the finish was worn, the strings were rusted." For restored Steinways, ensure the restoration was done by reputable craftsmen, like Lindeblad's experienced team. You can “meet” some of our Craftsmen by watching our Mastercraft Series.
- Understand Pros and Cons: Used Steinway pianos often come at a significantly lower price compared to new ones, making them more accessible to a wider range of buyers. However, they will have a shorter lifespan since soundboards usually last about 60 years and they will require more maintenance or significant repairs, such as restringing, action regulation, etc as the years go by. Restored Steinway pianos are often brought back to a like-new condition, offering the aesthetic and functional benefits of a new piano with the charm and character of an older one. A potential con of buying a restored Steinway is the quality of restoration, depending on the restorer's reputation, expertise, and transparency. Ensure that the restorer uses high-quality, appropriate materials that are either original Steinway parts or equivalents that meet or exceed original specifications. A confident restorer will offer a warranty on their work. The length and coverage of the warranty can give you an idea of the quality and durability of the restoration.
- Do Your Homework: If buying privately, have an expert inspect the piano. For dealer purchases, check the dealer's reputation and warranty. At Lindeblad Piano, we back our pianos with comprehensive warranties and invite you to explore over 30 video testimonials and read through more than 400 positive Google reviews, reflecting our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
- Consider Nationwide Options: Don't limit yourself locally. Todd advises, "If you're online, you find a Steinway across the country, it might be worth hopping on a flight, going to check it out." At Lindeblad Piano, all of our pianos are shipped for free anywhere in the USA, watch this video to see how it’s done!
How to Inspect a Pre-Owned Steinway
Inspecting a pre-owned Steinway is crucial to ensure you're getting a quality instrument.
Here are some things to look out for:
- Soundboard: Check for cracks, as humidity fluctuations can cause damage. Our Soundboard Page explains why this is critical.
- Strings and Tuning: Ensure strings aren't rusted and the piano holds a tune, replacement can be costly.
- Finish and Cabinet: Look for wear, cracks in the finish, or sun damage.
- Action and Keys: Test the action for responsiveness.
Questions to Ask the Seller
When inspecting a pre-owned Steinway, it's crucial to ask the right questions to ensure you're getting a quality instrument.
Here are some key questions to ask:
- What is the age of the piano?
- Has it been regularly maintained?
- Has it been exposed to direct sunlight or extreme humidity?
- What is the condition of the soundboard? Are there any cracks?
- Are the strings original or replaced? If replaced, when?
- What is the condition of the finish? Any chips or peeling?
- How are the keys and hammers? Do they need replacement?
For restored Steinways, additional questions include:
- When was the restoration done?
- Who performed the restoration?
- What is the experience of the craftsmen involved?
- Were genuine and historically accurate parts used?
- Is a parts list available?
For a comprehensive list of questions, download our Steinway Cheatsheet.
Where to Buy: Dealer vs. Private Seller
Buying from a dealer like Lindeblad Piano offers warranties and expert advice, while private sales may lack guarantees. When buying from a dealer, it's important to understand their terms and conditions.
Ask about:
- Warranties, especially for the soundboard
- Return policies
- Shipping costs
- Trade-in policies
- Free tuning after delivery
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a pre-owned Steinway cost? Prices vary, but you can save 50–70% compared to new. Check Lindeblad’s inventory for current listings. Looking for something specific? Contact us and we'll see what we can do, we get a wide variety of pianos in all the time.
- What’s the difference between used and restored? Used are original but may need repairs; restored are refurbished with new parts, offering new-like quality. Pianos are very complicated instruments and our Piano Restoration 101 page will explain more about each aspect of the piano.
- Do you offer warranties? Yes, we provide comprehensive 5–20 year warranties as part of our Peace of Mind Promise, ensuring you feel completely secure with your purchase. This promise includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, free shipping across the USA, free post-delivery tuning, and lifetime trade-in options, all designed to offer you unparalleled confidence and satisfaction with your Steinway piano.
Conclusion
Buying a pre-owned Steinway piano is a once-in-a-lifetime investment, and with Lindeblad Piano's expertise, you can make an informed decision. Watch our “5 Things You Need to Know” video for Todd's insights, explore our Steinway inventory, and contact us for personalized advice. Let us help you find the perfect pre-owned Steinway to bring music into your home.
www.lindebladpiano.com // 888-587-4266 // info@lindebladpiano.com
