There seems to be no shortage of used digital pianos out there and a few are good and many are bad, and some are some in-between. Some used models are newer, some are much older, and some have useful technology. But many used digital pianos are outdated, don’t play or sound good, or have intermittent problems like having unseen internal wear and tear, and therefore are not worth owning, even at a lower price.
WARNING
OLDER USED DIGITAL PIANOS
Used digital piano |
When it comes to older used digital piano prices, there is no set standard of what they may be worth or what a good deal is…it’s really whatever the market will bear or however the seller is motivated to sell it. Even if the used digital piano looks like a “good deal,” it may not be a good deal at all, especially when compared with a comparable new digital piano. As with all technology, new digital pianos keep on improving in nearly every way and with those improvements, the new pianos are not much more money than used digital pianos.
Although used computers or flat screen TV’s are a bit different than used digital pianos, the end result is the same. As an example, just try selling a 5 year old used digital TV and see what you get for it? Not much and you probably paid twice as much as they sell for now and it probably isn’t even half as good.
Even though the used digital piano may be a good trusted brand name (like Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Casio, Korg, etc) and the used piano may even be physically in good shape and have a nice looking cabinet, that does not mean it will be a good musical investment as compared to buying a new digital piano.
New technology |
Higher quality, name brand new digital pianos are now closer than ever to duplicating the piano keyboard action and piano sound of an acoustic piano. Plus, the newer models have technology that is more useful for a better piano playing experience than older models. People ask me all the time if they should consider buying a slightly used digital piano over a new one and my answer is “it all depends what you can be happy with?” If you want the best piano tone & touch for yourself and/or your children, then new name brand digital pianos are almost always going to be better in that way.
Based on your personal piano playing experience or skill level, you or your children may not be able to tell the difference right away between an older used piano and a new one as far as touch, sound, and features go. But your ability to recreate the song you are playing (or trying to play) in the correct way will be significantly improved by the better and newer digital piano technology.
There are MIDI connections on older used pianos which can connect to computers, however, many new digital pianos (not all) now have high speed USB on the digital piano along with USB audio streaming interface connections which are very important in today’s world of music education for both kids and adults. Have you seen the available music education, composition, & notation apps for the iPad lately? They are fantastic and so useful in personal music development and understanding. Does the used piano have those functions?
Other important considerations when shopping for a used digital piano are: how much polyphony piano sound memory/processing power does the used piano have 32, 64, 128, 192, 256 or more and does that matter? Do the pedals support “half-damper” for more realistic pedal sustain function and does that matter (yes, it does matter)? Are the keys using the latest in key sound sensors to achieve greater and smoother dynamic range and repetition in playing songs, and does that matter?
What is the piano sound pedal decay time in the used piano as compared to a new one? That question is very important to piano playing authenticity. Can you do recording on the piano and if so, what kind is it? Does the piano save recordings to an old floppy disk drive or a newer technology, or does it save songs at all? If the used piano has an old floppy disk drive and SD slot, then that is something I would suggest you stay away from.
Is the key action lightweight, medium weight, heavy weight, progressive hammer, and is the key action quiet or is it noisy with loose keys? Perhaps the key contacts under the keys are starting to wear out (which they do on some models), and that would be bad. These are things you need to know and questions that need to be asked.
Bad keys – common problem |
There are literally thousands of used pianos in private ads and in music stores all over the US and in other countries and there is no factory warranty on those pianos so you do take a big risk in that purchase and the risk could cost you hundreds more dollars in repairs in the long run (I have seen this personally). Repairing a digital piano can get quite expensive depending on the problem, if it should occur, and the cost of a repair can cancel out any savings you may get on a used digital piano, as I mentioned earlier, assuming the used piano can repaired at all!
They can go out or have a problem without warning because eventually things start to wear out (on some more than others and some sooner than later). So be very careful when looking to buy a used digital piano because even though they may look good on the outside does not mean they are good on the inside.
Bad internal circuit board |
One of the problems with used digital pianos for sale on the open market is that many sellers think their piano is worth a much higher price than it is really worth, when in fact, it may have little or no value at all. This is typical of people who buy something (especially electronics) for a lot of money and then still think it’s worth a lot of money later on, even after many years and even compared to new digital pianos priced less than their used digital piano for sale. The fact is, digital pianos over a few or many years can depreciate in a big way and they can also wear out and deteriorate.
Also, older digital pianos just don’t hold high values and in fact may be almost worthless especially in comparison to many of the newest lower price digital pianos. It really just depends on what the piano is, what functions it has, and how it plays and sounds as a piano and as compared to a real acoustic piano or a good new digital piano.
older digital piano internal parts |
A false belief some people have is that if it’s “used” it must be a better deal than new because it’s less money, but that’s just not the case any more. You can get a new digital piano now for under or around $1000 that is superior in keyboard action and piano sound quality as compared to many older digital pianos that were selling for over $2000 just 5 to 10 years ago. Yet, I have seen some piano stores and/or general music stores (and private sellers) offer used pianos for sometimes nearly twice the price than they are worth because they think they can get away with it or they just don’t realize what you can get for the same money in new digital pianos.
Broken-loose piano keys |
Call or email me directly if you are in the US and I will be happy to help you and answer your questions. But I don’t give price info on individual used digital pianos nor can I judge if a specific piano is a good buy or not because they are all one-of-a-kind items subject to many variables as they will all differ in usage and wear along with being subject to individual conditions which can be hidden inside the keyboard actions or electronic parts. Establishing a general market value for a used digital piano can be very difficult because of these variables, including depreciation.
So, are good (and the word “good” is very important) used digital pianos better buys than getting a new one? The answer is…”occasionally,” but it depends on many things and you definitely don’t want to pay too much or get stuck with something that seems good on the outside but has problems on the inside which you may not see or know about! As I said before, it only takes one broken key or bad part on a used piano to potentially add up to hundreds of dollars in repairs (kind of like a used car). A good deal on a used piano is only good when you are really sure the piano is in great working condition and you have carefully compared it to new digital pianos in the same price range.
If the used piano is a current model then that one may be a good buy as long as the new model has a good track record for not needing repairs or other kinds of service and the used one has a low enough price. In some cases a used digital piano in a lower price range can have a more attractive furniture cabinet than a new one in that same price range. However, the piano sound realism, proper key action movement, and pedal function realism in an older used digital piano may be much less realistic than a new digital piano.
Just be sure you make music on a good digital piano that will last a while and offer the things which are important including a good factory warranty (usually only available on new digital pianos) and buying it from someone you trust. For more info, you can contact me and I can help you further including helping to get you much lower prices on new portable and furniture cabinet digital pianos from all the major brands.
If you want more info on these and other pianos and LOWER prices than internet or store discounts on new digital pianos, please email me at…tim@azpianowholesale.com or call me direct at 602-571-1864
What do you think of the GEM Baby Grand Digital Stage Piano GRP800 GRP 800 General Music Keyboard
Tim, thank you for a thorough analysis of the factors to consider. I've been looking at used digital pianos until it occurred to me that the electronics should be viewed in similar ways to other electronic devices. So glad to have found your blog! Thanks again! Theresa W.
Thank you. I am now sure I will buy a new one. The only question is wich one. J. Zamarro
is it worth to buy a used yamaha cvp 79a for 2500?
all used digital pianos can be risky to buy because they are used, you don't know for sure if there will be problems or not, and there is no warranty and they can be quite expensive to repair
GREAT Blog…thanks so much. I will contact you
I'm considering a used Baldwin MCX – 1 for $350 obo… but I can't find ANY info or reviews on this thing! Any help or links would be greatly appreciated.
I don't not recommend older digital pianos, especially ones where parts are no longer available as would be the case for the Baldwin. Other than that I have no other info to share with you
I have a Wurlitzer 200 that needs speakers and power cord replaced. Where in northeast AZ can I take it to get refurbished?
I would not know. You would need to contact the nearest local technician or contact a tech in Phx.
Hi Tim, would you share some thoughts on digital piano reliability? I see your point of buying new but even for an entry level "good" piano it still costs 1k or more easy. How long can they stay trouble free generally? Like you said it only takes one bad key to ruin the whole keyboard would more expensive digital pianos better built and hence more reliable?
Mr. Praskins, I – as an engineer dealing also with reliability questions of electric goods – have the same question on the reliability and life expectancy of new digital pianos.
I have owned digital pianos and keyboards for over 30 years and still have a few that work fine (with some basic wear) after owning them for 10 and 20 years or more. Typical things that can wear out are buttons and key actions…things that move. The new pianos are built to last but it is primarily the key actions and key electronics that will wear out before anything else. So it's always wise to get a digital piano that has a quality key action to begin with from a manufacturer who can service it if necessary. And always keep dust and humidity out of the piano by covering it or storing it when not in use.
Thank you for your answer!
To tell the truth, I would have bet on the sound-generating electronics and not the moving parts as the first wearing out components of a digital piano.
Hi Tim,
What are your thoughts on a used Roland, KR-3000? I came across one that has been serviced by the owner and I have played on it as well. Not quite a piano but not bad. I am concerned that it is limited to 31 polyphony but I am looking for a digital piano mainly for piano only solos, and maybe occasional "fun sounds".
Thanks!
As I mentioned in my review of buying used digital pianos, they are a risk to buy because there is no warranty, many are quite old, and they don't last forever. This Roland you speak of is approx 30 years old (that is VERY old). If you are sure it works, like it, and want it, then price on it should definitely be well under $500. If you can spend more than that, then there are far better options in new digital pianos. If you want more info please email me directly. I wish you musical happiness.
Hi Tim,
I have a Suzuki GP3, 9 years old, paid $2k for it, had the keyboard replaced 4 years ago, great exterior condition, looking for an acoustic now, would you consider it to be an "old" piano?
Thanks!
What do you think about repairing a 20 yr old GEM baby grand digital piano that we already own? Sometimes it works fine, but then all of a sudden it will make a bad noise. It doesn't matter which key you hit. Nothing in particular causes the malfunction. The only way to get it to stop us to turn it off and back on.
Thanks for some expert advise here! I am looking to buy a digital piano for our son and will look into buying new ones now… I learned a lot reading this 🙂
Is it worth to buy Yamaha P 95 for $300, thank you
My church has a Baldwin mcx-1 digital piano. I can't find a sustaining pedal on it, and don't have a manual. My playing sounds choppy. Can you help me?
The MCX is an organ.Organs don't have sustain pedal functions because they are not keyboards or pianos. Your music will always sound choppy on an organ if you play keyboard or piano style.
Hi, I'm thinking about buying a lightly used Yamaha Clavinova CVP-96. Is that worth the investment? Thank you.
I am looking for a keyboard. 88 weighted and graded keys, with good piano sounds. Built in speakers and MIDI in/out. What are your suggestions. I have about $400 to spend.
Either the new Casio CDP130 or CDP230R would be good choices in this price range
Only if it is a cheap price, in good electronic and physical condition, and you don't mind taking a risk buying an almost 20 year old used digital piano
Hi, an EXCELLENT blog, every time I read it I am extremelly grateful you write it!
Do you mind advising on buying a used Roland HP-504 piano for £750 (RRP £1250 in the uk)? I have started learning about 4 months ago and it's now time for an an investment – is it worth taking the risk of this used one, given it's a current model, 1 year old, seller says 'in excellent condition' but I won't be able to know if that's true due to limited experience, or get a new one? Or some other model??? Thank you!
if the piano is in good condition then it should be a very good purchase
I have a Roland KR-55 that I bought in the late 1990s for approx $2000. What do you think it would be worth today? My daughter did her piano lessons on it. She hasn't used it in 10 yrs but it still works perfectly.
maybe $100US at most…if it works well. It weighs a lot, has electronics that are likely not replaceable any more, low polyphony, and is approx 20 years old. New high quality 76-key keyboards start at less than $200US now brand new. You may even need to donate/give away the KR55 because it's so old and outdated and carries a high risk of not working much longer assuming it works real well now
Looking to buy in the 100 to 250 range. Any recommendations?
Hi Tim.thanks for this article. I am looking to buy an 88 key keyboard, but I am on a shoestring budget. Do you recommend any in the 100 to 250 range?
Great Blog Tim! I bought a Kawai KSP 30 for $200. Having issues with the sound. It makes a pop noise whn turned on, crackling/static sound when playing, or sound goes so faint you can barely hear keys being played.. all intermittently. Spoke with Kawai support in CA & they said almost for sure it's a few capacitors and amps needs replacing on board ($100 parts labor shipping). Do you think it's worth sending them the board? I also spoke to a local piano tech over the phone who is thinking a bad power supply (??) , but needs to see & troubleshoot it. I've already removed the board though??
This is exactly the kind of thing I warn about in this used piano report. Buying used digital pianos is a big risk regardless of the price you paid for it. There will normally be differing opinions as to what is wrong with a used piano when it is experiencing problems. It's like having a malfunction with a used car. One mechanic will recommend you replace certain parts and another mechanic will recommend other parts and both may be wrong or one may be right but you don't know what action to take. When you buy "used" you should always allow for a certain amount of money to be spent repairing and servicing if and when issues come up. I am not a digital piano tech so I am not willing to give advice on what to do about a malfunctioning instrument. You either take a chance and make an educated guess on what the piano needs to work again…or you sell it before more things go wrong.
Thanks for the article.. jus need some advice from u.. would you suggest buying a second hand digital piano Roland HPi50 for $500 or a brand new casio digital piano $999? thnks.
-mindy-
Hello Tim, I am considering buying a used Casio CDP-100 for my daughter (7 years old). Risks aside, is this a good piano for a beginner? thanks, Tony.
yes, it should be fine for a beginner assuming the price on the used one is low enough.
My daughter was given a Korg Digital Piano, in 1990, has never been used. I am finally looking to sell it. what would be a reasonable price to ask.
WHat are some decent new ones under or around 1000.00?
All of the Casio models, all of the Yamaha models, all of the Kawai models, and a couple of Roland models. Read my review of digital pianos under $1000 and you will find them listed there.
Hello Tim. I found a 3 year old used Kawaii CN33 for $500. Retails on Amazon for $1500. It's listed as excellent condition and family has moved on to an acoustic piano. Sounds like a trustworthy seller. It's for my 9 year old son who started learning 6 months ago who says he likes it but not the most proactive when comes to practicing. I don't want to spend thousands $$ to see him give it up later. Do you think it's worth taking a chance on what seems to be such a good deal?
Is it worth buying a used Korg concert C40 digital piano for an 8 year old child. Do you know how old it is? Thank you.
there are hundreds of used digital pianos throughout local areas on Craigslist, etc for sale. It's worth taking a chance if you feel confident that the used piano works, keys play correctly, etc. Used products always come with risk.
Hello Tim, thank you for this article. I'm about to look at a 4 year old yamaha ydp 131, it's listed for €650 and apparently has rarely been used. New price was €1150 four years ago. If it's in good condition, do you think it would be an ok deal? All other used pianos advertised were upwards of €800. We are in Germany. Thanks!
I came across a Yamaha Clavinova CVP202 which I am planning to buy for my 6 year old daughter for whom we started piano lessons. What is the right price for it. The seller is asking for $600.
a used piano price is determined by what the seller will take for it. There is no "right" price especially considering that the piano is older, has no warranty and any used item comes with a risk. With that being said it seems like $600 for that model is a fair price, especially for a 6-year old…it's a nice piano
I have a kawai cn33 that was played lightly by my sons for piano lessons. Purchased in 2012. We paid $2300 for it new, would $1000 be too much to ask for selling price?
Dear Tim…I know these posts are a bit old, but you have been giving the same GOOD advice for the past 30 years. I learned long ago that your opinion is reliable regarding pianos/organs/digital keyboards etc…As you say, buying used is a very risky thing…I am considering a Kawaii ES-110 based on your review…Before I make the purchase, I will be contacting you to see if you recommend something else as good for less money. My very first keyboard was a 49 key wood-toned Casio that I paid $600 for…amazing what we can get for that money today. Again, thanks! Chuck Clark, Pastor, Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods, McKinleyville, CA
old you say?? I may be old but my posts are only as old as the item being talked about and that's really not very old:). The Kawai ES110 is a current new model piano and very popular right now. I recommend this as the better option in this price range if your goal is primarily "piano playing." If you want more "bells & whistles" or just need to be at a much lower price towards $500 or less, then there are definitely other options. Although Yamaha, Roland, and Casio offer some good pianos under $700, right now I recommend the Kawai ES110 for the better piano playing experience:). If that is something you want to do then I can also help you get it for a special price for a special person such as yourself:).
Dear Tim: I am thinking about buying either an used Yamaha CLP-330 for $800 or paying a little bit more $950 for a new Yamaha YPD 143 (I am not in the U.S. so the prize might be different). The former has GH3 keys, nicer cabinet, more powerful speakers and easier-to-access control keys but the latter should be equipped with newer technology. What are your opinions on these. Please advice. Thank you very much.
I like the CLP330 better for its key action, sound system, and overall playability plus it looks better. The newer technology in the YDP really is all about the iOS app to control some functions but as far as piano playing is concerned, the older 330 is more authentic in my opinion
Thank you very much for your prompt reply. Yesterday, I was at the shop to examine the CLP 330. I do not play piano but I have done quite a lot of research online. One of the test I found online (may be from your site, I do not remember) is to play the piano with the volume completely down. I tried that and noticed the keys around the center give low thumbing sound. The keys near the two ends seems to stop more smoothly and do not make those sounds. Is that normal or does it mean the keys has been used a lot. Is this a deal-breaker. From cosmetic point of view, the keys look OK. They also do not not move sideway. I also like the CLP330 a lot but still afraid about the risk involves. Thank you for your time.
key actions can start to wear out after many years depending on how they were played and may become a bit noisier on certain keys or all of the keys. This is possible with the CLP330 because it is an older model. Key noise in the GH3 key actions is very minimal normally as long as the key action has not been abused or overly used. However the GHS key action in the YDP143 is known for having more key noise when the keys are going up & down even when they are brand new because that key action is built more cheaply. So you just need to compare closely and then make your decision. Used pianos don't have factory warranties so there is always more of a risk buying used digital and acoustic pianos. I hope this info helps you.
Thank you for taking the time to answer all of my questions and concerns. I am very grad that I posted my questions at your site. To be honest, I didn't expect to get direct opinions from experts like you so promptly.
Hi, pardon my English.
I would appreciate it if you could spend a time giving me your opinion on this. I want to learn to play piano, but Im already 41 and im on a serious tight budget now ( i just went through a divorce and in the process of kickstarting my life all over again), and I cant afford to hire a teacher now and may at first learn from youtube videos.
Now that I have the time and space to learn piano, Im so wanting to do it now but with the tight budget I cant afford even most of the used ones.
However I found this one used Technics px44 with the cabinet and the pedals, only the downside is 4 white keys and 2 black keys are not functioning (no sound). The broken keys are not within the same octaves, some are close some are far apart. As I dont know how to play I dont know how much will that affect my learning. The thing is, its cheap at 40 dollars (is it cheap to begin with?) and I guess maybe i could use it first to practice my fingers as the keys are weighted before finally save some money and buy a new one later, many months or a year later perhaps.
Ive tested the piano and to my ears, it sounds good, by testing it I mean just hit the keys one by one.
So, what is your opinion?
you will never be able to get those keys working again because there are no more parts available for that piano anymore. You can use it but if you need those keys to work when practicing a song then you may be frustrated when that happens
I just retired recently and decided to do something worthwhile with my time. I bought an alesis recital, and with the help of a good teacher, I am learning to play the piano. As a beginner piano student, I do like the Alesis as I have a lot to learn because I have had no prior music training. I have seen no comments by you on these models. I do plan to step up to a yamaha or casio at the appropriate time. My concern is, am I fooling myself by learning the basics on the Alesis? I do want to make sure that as an older student, I have time left to learn. Will the Alesis Recital slow my learning experience down? I do enjoy reading your reviews and respect your opinion. I purchased the Alesis recital due to low cost and positive reviews. No music store in my area.
I’m going to look at this Baldwin electric piano this evening for my daughter. Do you know anything about Baldwin electric pianos? After reading your article though and trying to find reviews of them online I’m nervous. Any advise as to what I should look for?
unless you are convinced (know for sure) that the used piano you are looking at is in very good working condition especially the keyboard movement (all keys) along with piano sound, speaker system, and functions, then the risk in buying that piano is very high because parts are no longer made and technicians may not know how to repair those old models should they need repairing. It also depends on the price which needs to be extremely low to compensate the risk. The Baldwin company has been out of business for a very long time and have not made digital pianos for about 20 years. That is probably why you cannot find info on those digital pianos.
Hi Tim, I must say I am learning a lot about used piano as I am reading your reply. I am or I was going to buy a Baldwin PS 1500 for 300$. It it supposed to be working fine according to the seller. I haven't seen it yet since it's 5 hours away from home, I am planning to go and see it this coming Friday but after reading your recommendations, I think I should look at something newer. What's your opinion concerning this piano? Thanks in advance.
Patrick.
Hi and thanks for you article!
i am looking at buying a used Roland FP3 stage piano, mostly for the key action.. would it be worth the drive to check it out? seller is asking approximately 350 USD for it, an it may be negotiated
What do you think of the Donner digital pianos?
I know they are available on Amazon but I have never played any Donner pianos yet. They are a Chinese brand and likely not very good with regard to the key action and piano sound dynamics. It is rare at those lower prices to find something that actually plays like a piano. A good key action is the most important and expensive part of digital pianos and I would suspect the key action movement and piano response would be very questionable. I will likely get a chance to play one of those models soon.
I have bought 2 pianos through these gentlemen. I would describe my experience as great and even better! I was thinking of buying a used electric piano–about 14 years old–and their comments on why one shouldn't (old technology, improvements in the technology, non-availability of parts) may sway me to a new one through them!
Thanks for your comments Ricahrd
I am a piano teacher and can buy the older used Williams Allegro keyboards for my students (better than the new ones IMO) any day for around $200 on the Guitar Center website … they are GREAT keyboards, the only problem they have is that sometimes the velocity sensing goes out on individual keys (that key plays loud all the time) … do you know of a fix for this? Ever heard of this problem?
Yes, I have heard of this issue many times. The Williams Allegro digital pianos have very poorly made key contacts in their key actions based on my many years of playing experienced with that model and I would never recommend it to any of my friends or piano students. This because of the key action and the lack of good dynamic key velocities and bad key contacts.
In fact this is one of the worst key actions I have ever played and they have not gotten any better. It's a bad investment for any piano student. Key action and its ability to work correctly in any piano is of primary importance. The Allegro should never be a consideration for any student when it comes to learning and practicing piano. I would return it if possible because it may be difficult to get a repair and find a technician to work on it.