Informational Guide to choosing your piano

How-To tips:

Be an informed buyer. Ask for specifications in writing and understand the differences in quality levels.

A fine piano has a very long and useful life. If you are considering a used piano, it's best to have the instrument inspected by a qualified piano technician.

Buy what appeals to your ear, touch, decor and budget. Nobody should insist that you purchase a certain brand of piano. Focus on tone and action, which will help determine whether you'll enjoy the piano over the years. Think of it as a 10-year investment.

Who you purchase from is important. Established history and reputation, accurate knowledge of product options, warranty and customer service are significant.

Digital pianos may be a good option, especially if your space is limited. Do not, however, mistake them for inexpensive portable keyboards, which should never be utilized as a primary instrument. These keyboards lack a weighted action and can contribute to poor posture and technique.

If your piano will be a focal point in the house, consider the style, quality and size.

Buying a piano can sometimes be a confusing and daunting experience. Make a wise choice and your home can be filled with beautiful sound for a lifetime. But a piano with poor tone and an unresponsive action can discourage even the most enthusiastic player.

What to know

If you choose to shop for a used piano from a private party, hire a qualified piano technician to inspect the instrument. Even well intentioned sellers may be unaware of significant problems. Keep in mind that the average piano has more than 10,000 parts and 1,700 points of adjustment.

The piano hasn't changed significantly in more than a century. A preowned piano's value is usually 60 to 70 percent of a comparable new piano, considering the condition, minimum yearly maintenance history and if the manufacturer is still in production. This general rule of thumb can be considered for a piano up to 30 years of age. Pianos older than that typically require a minimum of new copper bass strings, hammer reshaping, regulation and voicing.

Complete refinishing and rebuilding can often exceed that value of the finished piano and should be considered cautiously. Only a handful of high-end premier instruments are actually worth the expense of refurbishment, especially if selling the piano becomes a consideration. A new piano can easily be worth the original purchase price after six to eight year, largely due to inflation. In nine or ten years, it is possible your investment may be worth even more.

Know your needs, budget

Unlike automobiles, ,televisions and other high-end purchases, the average piano buyer buys for the long term> While it seems logical to think that you can start with a compromising instrument and step up to a better piano at a later date, what you really want right now will cost 20 to 30 percent more in five years. And don't discount the fact that a child can become attached to his or her first instrument.

"We have been offering a full five-year trade-up to our customers for over 20 years, but less than one percent actually exercises this option, " said Joseph Brattesani at Napa Valley Pianos (over 45 year Veteran in the piano business). Consider buuying a piano you will be happy with for at least 10 years.

No one should insist that you purchase a certain brand of piano. Purchase the piano that sounds. looks and plays the best to you within your budget. Good and substandard models many times can be manufactured by a well-known brand name.

What's what

There are basically two kinds of pianos: a high-end, premier instrument and mid- to low-end mass-produced pianos. Starting with the foundation of the piano, if the rim or back is made of hard wood, such as maple or beech, it is likely a high-end piano. If it's softer wood, such as mohogany, ,it's likely a mid- to entry-level instrument.

The plate casting in most all high-end instruments is sand cast, also referred to as a "dead cast" because it has little to no harmonic tendencies. A "v-pro" (which stands for vacuum process) cast is used in mid to entryk-level instruments. This process requires a lighter alloy in order to be sucked into a mold for mass production. The combination of hardwood rim or frame and a sand cast plate creates a strong, stable piano capable of preferred tension, longer sustain and a clearer more powerful sound. The use of a soft wood rim or back combined with a v-pro cast plate usually compromises definition, clarity, sustain and power, and is typical of pianos manufactured in Korea, China and Indonesia. Naturally, there are varying degrees of quality in each category - ask your piano dealer for an in depth explanation for any instrtument you may buy.

There is nothing wrong with mid- to entrry-level instruments, if that's what you're looking for. Just be careful that, through its brands name, an instrument of this caliber is not represented as more than it really is. If the foundation isn't there on the written specifications for a particular miodel, it is not andnever will be a premier, high-end, world-class piano.

How much is enough?

How much you spend is largely a personal decicion based on how important a piano is to your lifestyle and budget. Price is not always a direct reflection of value. Access to raw materials, labor cost, currency exchange and import duty can impact the price and create an over- or under-valued instrument.

A fine music store is your best bet to help you navigate through these decisions. Remember, trtry and invest in what sounds good to your ear, feels good to your fingers, and looks good to your taste. A quality piano dealer will be able to help you on all these counts. "We do our best to meet the customer's expectations and budget - that's what any good dealer should do and it's what we continuously do at Napa Valley Pianos.