Piano buying advice needed

[warp9]

Hi. We recently stayed in a cottage that had a piano which my wife enjoyed tinkling on as she had lessons as a child and our son, albeit he's only 2, enjoyed having a bash. I've heard how cheap they are at the moment and a quick search on Ebay confirms this, anything from a few pounds upwards.

So, I'd like to get one, really for a bit of fun and having a go, but I have absolutely no idea what to look for. It doesn't need to be top of the range, but needs to work and make a decent sound.

Can anyone advise on what to look for, brands, questions to ask, how much and easy to tune or fix and any other considerations for someone in my position?

Oh, BTW I mean an upright piano and I live in Birmingham!

Cheers

[Hoofy]

People are always Freegling them. You may be able to find a free gem that just needs a tune-up (£50?).

Otherwise, your best bet is a local piano shop. Avoid these guys, though:

[TheChampers]

Try Dorridge Music School (in Knowle oddly). The proprietor, cockney geezer, has always assured me he could source a very reasonably priced used upright Joanna and reccomend a good tuner too, when my daughters have reached an appropriate level; both have played on a decent electric piano for a few years.

I have no connection with the place, other than happening to know the bloke who owns it (I did a job for him a few years ago). Hth, good luck

[Mr M]

Not an upright but with 88 graded\weighted keys, you could get a second hand Yamaha P60 for a couple of hundred quid. Got mine a couple of years ago and not looked back.