Every piano is unique! Two pianos
of the same brand, size, and age can be totally different in their sound and touch.
Here is a very simplified list of things you have to check when choosing a piano:
Sound quality: volume, timbre, richness
Action
mechanism quality: responsiveness, key depth, evenness, action heaviness.
Action mechanism reliability: ability
to hold tuning, sturdiness of internal and external parts (especially important with used pianos).
Absence
of hidden flaws: soundboard cracks, defective hammers, keys etc.
Size: depends on the purpose of the
piano and where it will be placed.
Price: there’s no reason to overpay for your piano!
It
is hard work to find a good piano; and if you make a mistake, you can end up never playing your piano just because you don’t
like its sound or touch.
