Shopping for a piano can be a very confusing adventure, given that there are various top 
manufacturers, types, and models to take into account nowadays. When you think you have found the right one, you tend to question yourself all over again when you see another beautiful piano. If you are looking at buying a Steinway piano in particular, you will find this buying guide useful, as it can possibly make your buying experience a lot smoother.
Consider the Size and Placement of the Piano
Something funny happened to a friend of mine who bought a piano for her daughter. She had failed to measure the size of the area allocated for the piano at their home, so when the grand piano arrived, it was too big for the area. Eventually, she had to place it in the living room instead. The moral of the story is that, you should initially think about the size of the Steinway piano that you want and the area in which it will be placed. Grand pianos necessitate a huge area, whereby upright pianos can fit into a smaller room more comfortably.
Even though upright pianos can be placed in small areas, you need to take the acoustics of the room into account, which goes for the grand piano too. Sounds reverberate differently depending on the design and construction of the room. I advise that you test the acoustics of the room first by playing another type of musical instrument, listening to a music player, or singing.
Consider the Length of the Body
When I mention the length of a piano body, most customers are surprised to find out that longer pianos can contain longer strings. Longer pianos are able to produce richer and smoother tones, but they are more expensive compared to any of the shorter pianos. Additionally, Steinway grand pianos take up more space than the uprights do.
Consider the Strings of the Piano
When you are browsing Steinway pianos, I advise that you check what wires or strings are used. Did you know that the color and quality of sounds emitted by every type of piano wire is inimitable? It actually does, making it imperative that you check the strings before you buy a Steinway piano. You need to make sure that you take note of the type of wire used, because if one of the strings wears out or breaks, it is essential that you replace it with the exact same type, or else, the sound would be imbalanced.
Consider the Build and Manufacture Quality
Many people, particularly piano connoisseurs, seek handmade pianos, because they are made from higher quality materials. Therefore, they emanate richer, more sonorous sounds compared to industrial units. A lot of customers that come to visit my store would rather buy handmade pianos, because they are all unique and they know that nobody else will own the same quality piano. While that may be an appealing thought, you need to know that a handmade piano costs so much more than factory-assembled pianos.
Whether it is a handmade or a factory-assembled unit, it is important that you check the interior and exterior of the Steinway piano thoroughly. This is especially vital if you are considering a secondhand unit. Check for excess glue, warped wood, or cracks in the piano wood. You do not want a piano that has flaws because you will end up spending a lot of money to repair it.
Take the Time to Play the Piano
This is perhaps the most important part of finding the right Steinway piano for your home. I always advise my customers to play several different types of pianos before they pick one to take home. While playing the piano, pay close attention to the sound, the feel of the keys and the pedal and touch response.
How convinced are you that buying a piano are an easy task?