We Buy Any Piano
Selling small items on online auction sites is easy, but when it comes to larger pieces, a simple sale can turn into a logistical nightmare. If you're selling your piano and want to get the best deal, plan your sale carefully. Before you sell your instrument, there are a few things you can do to increase the desirability of your piano, whether it's an upright or a grand. So here are our top tips for selling your piano, things to consider, and how selling to a reputable dealer like Bonners rather than a private sale may be better for you.
we buy any piano
Complete the simple form below and we'll let you know if your piano would be of interest to us. Be sure to scroll down the page to find out how to identify your piano and some tips on achieving the best price.
Any buyer will want to know all about your piano before they offer you any money, so you'll need to provide them with the make, model, and serial number of your instrument. Second-hand instruments generally have quite standardised price bands, so providing this information tells the buyer not only what model and make your piano is, but that it's also being sold at a fair and reasonable price.
Technical details matter, and it's useful to know whether your piano is overstrung or straight strung. An overstrung instrument has longer bass strings, giving it a deep, rich sound that's particularly sought after by some buyers. Straight strung pianos from reputable makers such as Broadwood are still desirable, but you will get a better price for an overstrung instrument.
When you're selling a piano the look and sound are top priorities. But it's the technical specifications that can make a big difference to the price you achieve. So another thing you'll need to know before you sell is whether your instrument is overdamped or under-damped.
Modern instruments are more likely to be under-damped, which means that the dampers are directly under the hammer, while older instruments (pre-1930) will use the more antiquated and less effective overdamping system. You'll be able to tell if your piano is overdamped by looking at the hammers from above. If it's an overdamped piano then there will be a wooden rail obscuring the hammers. Sadly, overdamped pianos are not particularly desirable, and at Bonners we only buy under-damped instruments because of their superior sound quality and reliability.
Old pianos can still sound great, especially with a little bit of TLC. At Bonners, we have a specialist workshop run by experienced craftspeople who can bring even the oldest, saddest looking piano back to life. While you may find it difficult to sell an old or damaged instrument to a private buyer, talk to Bonners, as we may be interested in your piano, regardless of condition, especially if it's a desirable make such as a Steinway or a Bosendorfer.
Not necessarily. Not only do you have to take into consideration the cost of advertising your instrument in a way that it reaches the right audience, but you may have to pay for delivery costs too. You'll also have to arrange home visits by potential buyers, which can be inconvenient especially if you work full time. Even selling your piano on an internet auction site will incur additional costs. You also need to remember that it could be a long time before the perfect buyer comes along, which could be an inconvenience if you want a quick sale.
If you want to sell your piano but don't want the hassle of arranging a private sale, then your easiest option is to sell to a dealer like Bonners. With decades of experience in buying and selling pianos, we've developed an easy and simple service that means you can sell your piano without all the hassle and additional expense of advertising, delivery charges or repairs, and still get a fair price for your instrument.
Simply send us photographs of your instrument (both inside and out) so that we can see the general condition of the piano. We'll then agree a price with you in advance, which won't change unless the piano is substantially different 'in the flesh' than it appears in the photos. You won't be charged for collection either, saving you money and time. Just let us know whether the piano is upstairs or if there are any awkward obstacles to consider when moving your piano.
Before you sell your piano to Bonners, you can get a written offer before you commit. Just complete the 'Sell my Piano' form and we'll tell you exactly what your instrument is worth to us. We'll transfer the funds direct to your bank account. Collection is usually within 14 days, but often happens much faster, so you can have the funds in your bank account in days, rather than weeks. If you have a piano for sale and want a hassle-free sale and a great return on your instrument but don't want the bother of selling privately, contact Bonners, the UK's biggest and best piano store.
We find people use us for selling a piano as it is an easy, guaranteed money option. Bear in mind that we are a piano dealer and we have have additional costs when selling instruments. We have to offer the next owner a warranty, pay VAT, pay for tuning, delivery, and also take care of future potential service issues etc. This is all taken into account when making an offer to buy your piano.
You may be able to achieve a little more from a private sale, but you would then have the additional inconvenience of advertising, buyers visiting your home and also delivery costs. You may also incur internet auction fees and payment fees should you sell using one of these channels. It is also worth considering that selling a piano is not an easy task, and finding that someone who falls in love with your piano, and is willing to pay the price you are asking privately might take some time.
We will consider most pianos for purchase, although we prefer upright pianos rather than grands - simply because it is easier for us to sell upright pianos due to a larger customer base looking for this type of instrument. Bonners Piano Centre particularly favour pianos made by reputable manufacturers such as Bechstein, Bluthner, Yamaha, Bosendorfer, Kemble, Kawai, Steinway, Broadwood to name but a few.
Here is an example of a 'straight-strung over-dampered' upright acoustic piano. The 'damper' is the mechanism that stops the note from playing, ie it puts a felt against the string to stop it from resonating, in this case its 'above' the hammers, this is why its called 'over-dampered'. This method is was abandoned in approximately the 1920's as 'over-strung under-dampered' pianos emerged. Over-dampered pianos were difficult to maintain and keep a solid connection to prevent string resonance and unwanted sustain. In addition a piano that is 'straight-strung' means that the strings go straight up and down on the frame. This method of piano manufacturing was abandoned around the 1920's too due to difficulties keeping the piano in tune, the tension created in one direction on the frame and the fact that an 'over-strung under-dampered' piano was much more reliable, longer lasting and would stay in tune for longer. They also created a better tone and string resonance.Due to the points mentioned above we would not purchase a piano that is 'over-dampered' and 'straight-strung'. These pianos do not hold any value to us; we would not be comfortable to sell them on as there would be difficulties with tuning and reliability. If you wanted to purchase a new piano from us we can discuss collecting your piano to dispose of it whilst delivering your new one purchased from us. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us with your piano needs!
Here we have an example of an 'over-strung under-dampered' piano. This method of upright piano manufacturing emerged from approximately the 1920's and is still the way new upright acoustic pianos are made today. The 'damper' mechanism is under the hammers and creates a much more reliable contact than the previously 'over-dampered' pianos. The damper stops the note from making a noise and is released as a string is struck by the hammer, enabling the string to resonate to make the sound. When the key is released the damper goes back to the string to stop the sound, unless the sustain pedal is pressing preventing the damper from going back to position ie allowing 'sustain'. Because the damper mechanism in under the hammers on the piano it makes a much more reliable contact to prevent unwanted 'sustain' (notes ringing out) and requires much less attention over the years.In addition an 'over-strung' piano means the strings 'cross over' each other allowing the piano to be smaller but maintain long strings. It also means the tension is put around the frame rather than in one direction as with 'straight-strung' pianos, meaning that is better at holding itself 'in-tune' and less likely to have issues in the future, as long as you keep it regularly tuned (you must keep any acoustic piano tuned regularly to maintain the correct pitch and longevity).We are interested in 'over-strung under-dampered' pianos, ideally from 1970 to present day. If you have a piano that simply needs taking away, or you think may have a value please can in touch with us using the form below for a quote today!
Stilwell Pianos is not a consignment shop. We buy all of our pianos outright with cash before we move the piano out of your home. If you would like to sell your piano to us, please fill out the form below or email the information in the form to Nathan@StilwellPianos.com
Although we will still need the pictures emailed to us (Full shot of the piano, strings and hammers etc. we do not need close ups of logo, serial/model numbers), please feel free to call us to talk about your piano if that is easier 480-207-6645
*Please keep in mind that we do not buy grands or full uprights older than 45 years old. There are exceptions for this for brands like Steinway and Mason & Hamlin. Also we NEVER buy any used digital pianos.
Upright pianos which we, and most other piano dealers, are looking to purchase are what are known as 'under-damped, and over-strung'. This means that the dampers, the felt wedges which stop the strings vibrating, are located under the hammers where they work more efficiently. Over-damped pianos have the dampers positioned above the hammers, which isn't particularly effective, and is a feature of most early or pre-20th century upright pianos. 041b061a72