The first thing to say is avoid at all costs the bargain basement “Free to a good home/suitable for a beginner”, because - unless you have it thoroughly checked by a good tuner/technician - you are very likely to end up with a piano that is very old and of a poor standard. It may even have been condemned by a tuner as untuneable or beyond economic repair, and after going to the trouble and expense of moving it that's the last thing you want. And don't be taken in by "attractive casework" as the majority of what many people call "pretty" pianos are very low quality instruments. Even a beginner (perhaps especially a beginner) needs a piano that plays well, has a pleasing tone and responsive touch – or they will never progress beyond being a beginner. The problem is of course that one does not want to spend a lot if, for whatever reason, the interest in playing is short-lived. This is why we offer a rental scheme.

Many people prefer an older style piano, and if chosen carefully they can be very pleasing to play - as well as to look at. Older pianos have invariably developed more “character” but need to have been well maintained, or thoroughly and expertly restored if they are to give good service.

Modern pianos, by which we mean built in the last 40 years or so (unlike cars or electronic equipment!), can be an excellent choice as they are likely to have been made to withstand much better the centrally heated conditions of most homes. However you must still be careful as there are many modern pianos which were very poorly designed and made, and some may have had a lot of use (or even abuse) which could mean an expensive overhaul.

There is a wide range of new pianos available of varying quality, but as ever it is still broadly true that "you get what you pay for". We consider that, at present, few brand new pianos below £3000 are of a standard that we would recommend.

Similarly there are many modern used pianos on the market and their quality and condition varies tremendously. The better known brands of English, European and Japanese piano are certainly worth considering. There are secondhand pianos available imported from the far east, by makers such as Yamaha and Kawai which offer, we think, better value for money than a new piano of the same price - if chosen carefully. More of this on our Yamaha page.

As always it is vital to see, hear and play an instrument before making any decision, and a good reputable dealer will give help, without being pushy, and give a good guarantee.

We select our pianos carefully and restore and repair with the aim of providing instruments with good tone and touch, and we guarantee all our work for 5 years. We are also very happy to give advice to help you choose a suitable instrument.