How to Buy a Piano (Without Regretting it Later)

If you’ve ever scrolled Facebook Marketplace long enough, you’ve seen it: “Free Piano - Move it Yourself”

It’s a tale as old as the internet. Somebody’s downsizing and wants this old piano gone!

Here’s the truth: it’s easy to find a free piano, but much harder to find one worth moving. As a piano tuner in Kansas City, I’ve seen hundreds of these “deals.” Some are hidden gems. Most are heartbreakers. The goal of this guide is simple — to help you know the difference.

Nothing is Free

When someone offers you a free piano, what they’re really saying is, “Please come haul this 800-pound antique out of my home.” And sometimes that’s fine. But pianos are complicated machines — usually more than 10,000 moving parts — and many old ones are past the point of practical repair.

Hiring piano movers in Kansas City generally costs $300 to $500. Once it settles into your home, you’ll need a tuning (usually $150–$200). That’s $500–$700 (if you hire movers) before you even play your first note.

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth it — a solid used upright or grand can last decades. But make sure what you’re moving is an actual instrument, not just a very heavy piece iron cased in a wooden box.

Brand Matters (But There’s a Catch)

There’s a common saying in the piano world: “A piano is only worth what someone’s willing to pay for it.”

The names you’ll hear the most are Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, Mason & Hamlin, Baldwin, Yamaha (Some - not all), and Kawai (Some - not all). These companies built instruments that last decades with proper care.

Below that tier are pianos like Samick, Petrof, Wurlitzer, and some Kimball uprights — all respectable depending on the era and condition.

If you find an unknown name, that’s not automatically bad. Some “no-name” instruments were built in the same factories as the big brands. But if the piano has serious issues and the brand is obscure, it’s usually not worth the effort.

The Heart of the Piano

The soundboard is a thin sheet of wood (Spruce) that gives the piano its voice. Without it, a piano would sound like an electric guitar unplugged — strings vibrating quietly into nothing. The soundboard sits behind the cast-iron plate (sometimes called the harp). If you can see the back of the piano, look for long cracks in the wood grain. Small cracks are normal in older pianos, but wide separations or gaps are signs of structural fatigue. These affect tone, sustain, and overall resonance. Personally, i’m not particularly precious about soundboard cracks if the piano sounds good, but listen carefully. A cracked soundboard can be a clear red flag.

The Feel Test

Play every key. Don’t be shy. You’re not auditioning for Juilliard; you’re checking the mechanics. Each key should move freely and return smoothly. Keys that stick, make strange sounds like clicks or clunks, or don’t come back up are usually signs of humidity damage, worn bushings, or deeper action problems. If more than a few keys misbehave, you’re looking at a costly repair. Pay attention to how the keys feel under your fingers. It’s important that you like how your piano feels.

Hammers and Strings

If the piano lets you lift the lid, take a look inside. The hammers (the felt-covered parts that strike the strings) will tell you a lot about the piano’s life. Deep grooves in the felt means it’s been heavily played. That’s not a bad thing, it means it once had a good life — but those hammers will need reshaping or replacement for the piano to sound as good as it could.

Check the strings. Rust or corrosion indicates the piano has been in a humid or unheated space, which can indicate that the tuning pins are loose as well. A piano with loose tuning pins = -$$$$

Quick Piano Evaluation Checklist

• Inspect the brand and serial number (look it up online).

• Look at the soundboard for cracks or separations.

• Play every key and confirm it returns smoothly.

• Check the hammer felt for deep grooves.

• Press each pedal to make sure it moves quietly.

• Examine strings and tuning pins for rust.

• Check the cabinet for water stains, warping, or mold.

• Avoid spinets (the shortest uprights) unless sentimental — they’re hard to service.

• If it sounds dull, uneven, or buzzy, trust your ears.

If most of these boxes check out, you might have a hidden gem on your hands. If not, save your money and your back.

Final Thoughts

Buying a used or free piano doesn’t have to be a gamble. With a few careful checks, you can tell the difference between a keeper and a costly mistake.