New vs. Restored Piano: Which Should You Buy? | Expert Buyer's Guide

New vs. Restored Piano: Which Should You Buy?

By Jeremy Duckles | Master Piano Technician

Last month, a couple came to our Fishkill workshop facing a decision that countless piano buyers wrestle with: Should they spend $30,000 on a new Steinway Model M, or $18,000 on a professionally restored 1923 Model M that—in my honest assessment—was the superior instrument?

They chose the restored piano. And six weeks later, they sent me a video of their daughter's recital with a note: "We're so glad we listened to you. This piano has a soul the new one didn't."

This scenario plays out in my workshop several times a year. The conventional wisdom says "new is always better," but when it comes to pianos—especially Steinways—that's simply not true.

Let me give you the insider perspective on this decision, drawn from three decades of working with both brand-new instruments and century-old restorations.

The Case for New Pianos

Let's start with the advantages of buying new, because there are legitimate reasons to go this route.

1. Factory Warranty & Peace of Mind

A new Steinway comes with a 5-year warranty covering parts and labor. For many buyers, especially those who aren't near a skilled technician, this protection is worth the premium.

Reality check: Premium pianos rarely have manufacturing defects. In 30 years, I've seen maybe a dozen warranty claims on new Steinways, usually for minor issues.

2. No Unknown History

With a new piano, you know exactly what you're getting:

• No previous owner neglect
• No hidden damage
• No questionable repairs
• Complete documentation from day one

However: A properly restored piano should come with detailed documentation of all work performed—giving you the same transparency.

3. Latest Design Improvements

Steinway (and other manufacturers) do make incremental improvements over decades:

• Upgraded felt materials
• Refined scaling (string design)
• Improved hardware

The catch: Most of these improvements are marginal. A 1920s Steinway Model M is fundamentally the same instrument as a 2025 Model M, built on the same rim molds.

4. Customization Options

Buying new allows you to choose:

• Wood finish (satin vs. high polish)
• Cabinet style
• Hardware finish (brass vs. chrome)

Alternative: Many piano restoration shops (including ours) offer full refinishing and customization of restored instruments.

5. Supporting Current Craftsmanship

Some buyers want to support current Steinway employees and the continuation of the craft.

Fair point: Though I'd argue that supporting restoration shops keeps traditional piano-making skills alive in an equally important way.

The Case for Professionally Restored Pianos

Now let's talk about why I often steer clients toward high-quality restorations—and why I've spent 20+ years perfecting this craft.

1. Superior Tone (Yes, Really)

Here's something most salespeople won't tell you: Many vintage Steinways sound better than new ones.

Why?

The wood has aged. Spruce soundboards, like fine violins, can improve with age. The resin crystallizes, the wood becomes more resonant. A 100-year-old soundboard that's in good condition often produces a richer, more complex tone than a new one.

Older growth timber. Pianos built in the 1920s-1950s used tighter-grain, old-growth spruce that's no longer available. This denser wood provides superior tonal characteristics.

The "golden era." Many technicians believe Steinway's peak quality was roughly 1880-1930, before cost-cutting measures and corporate ownership changes.

I've conducted blind listening tests with advanced music students. More than 70% preferred the sound of professionally restored vintage Steinways over new instruments in the same model.

2. Dramatic Cost Savings

Let's talk numbers:

You can save 40-50% and get an equal or superior instrument.

That's not a discount on a lesser product—it's proper valuation of what these instruments are actually worth when expertly restored.

3. Better Value Retention

Here's a secret from the used piano market: A professionally restored piano holds its value better than a new one.

Why? Because:

• Depreciation is already factored in. New pianos lose 20-30% of value the moment they leave the showroom
• Restoration quality is verifiable. A detailed restoration report is more valuable than a factory spec sheet
• Scarcity increases. Specific vintage models become more desirable over time

I've seen clients buy restored pianos from us, play them for 15 years, and sell them for 90% of what they paid. Try doing that with a new piano.

4. Environmentally Responsible

If sustainability matters to you, restoration is the clear winner:

• Preserves old-growth timber (irreplaceable)
• Reduces demand for new lumber harvesting
• Keeps instruments out of landfills
• Lower carbon footprint than manufacturing new

A restored piano is the ultimate "recycled" luxury good.

5. Proven Structural Integrity

A piano that's survived 70-100 years has proven its structural soundness. The rim is stable. The pin block (if not replaced) has demonstrated it can hold tension. The soundboard has shown its resilience.

With a new piano, you're hoping it will last a century. With a vintage piano, it already has.

What "Professionally Restored" Actually Means

Not all restorations are created equal. The quality spectrum is enormous, from amateur tinkering to museum-grade rebuilding.

Levels of Restoration

Level 1: Basic Reconditioning ($5,000-10,000)

• Tuning and regulation
• Minor repairs
• Cleaning
• Possible key recovering

This is NOT a full restoration. These pianos are fine for casual players but won't meet professional standards.

Level 2: Partial Restoration ($12,000-20,000)

• New hammers and shanks
• Key recovering
• Damper felt replacement
• Regulation and voicing
• Case refinishing
• Basic structural repairs

Good for: Intermediate players, teaching studios, home practice

Level 3: Complete Restoration ($25,000-45,000)

• Everything in Level 2, PLUS:
• New or reconditioned soundboard
• Pin block replacement
• Complete restringing
• Action rebuilding (all new parts)
• Refinishing to original specifications
• Brass hardware restoration

This is what Supreme Pianos specializes in. These instruments are indistinguishable from new in performance quality.

Level 4: Museum-Grade Restoration ($50,000-80,000+)

• Complete Level 3 restoration
• Historic accuracy (period-correct materials)
• Hand-fitted components
• Custom voicing to client specifications
• Detailed documentation for insurance/resale

Good for: Collectors, concert venues, historic preservation

Red Flags in Piano Restoration

When evaluating a restored piano, watch for:

Red Flags:

• Vague descriptions ("Fully restored" without specifics)
• No documentation of work performed
• Amateur refinishing (drips, uneven coating, wrong sheen level)
• Mismatched parts (non-original action components)
• Suspiciously low prices (real restoration is labor-intensive)
• No warranty or return policy
• Seller isn't a certified technician

When You SHOULD Buy New

I'm not anti-new-piano. There are scenarios where buying new makes more sense:

Consider buying new if:

• You want a specific customization not available in vintage models
• You're buying an entry-level brand (Yamaha, Kawai, etc.) where restoration costs don't make economic sense
• You need a warranty for institutional purchasing requirements
• You want the absolute latest Steinway innovations (like the Spirio player piano system)
• You prefer everything "pristine and untouched" (which is valid!)
• No reputable restoration shops in your area (and you can't travel to purchase)

When You SHOULD Buy Restored

Consider buying restored if:

• You want the best sound for your budget
• You appreciate vintage craftsmanship
• You're buying a Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, or other premium brand
• You have access to a reputable restoration shop
• You want better value retention
• You're environmentally conscious
• You're a serious player who can appreciate tonal nuance

The Hidden Third Option: Recently Used (5-15 Years Old)

There's a sweet spot in the used piano market that many buyers overlook: 5-15 year old pianos in excellent condition.

Advantages:

• Already depreciated 20-30% from new
• Modern manufacturing quality
• No restoration needed for decades
• Still under warranty (sometimes)
• Fully "broken in" and stable

Who this works for: Buyers who want near-new condition without full new-piano pricing, and who aren't particularly attached to vintage instruments.

Typical savings: 25-35% off new price

Cost of Ownership Over 30 Years

Let's do the math on total cost of ownership:

New Steinway Model M

• Purchase price: $85,000
• Tuning (60 tunings @ $175): $10,500
• Regulation (3x @ $800): $2,400
• Minor repairs: $1,500
• Total: $99,400
• Resale value (30 years): ~$65,000
• Net cost: $34,400

Restored Steinway Model M (1920s)

• Purchase price: $42,000
• Tuning (60 tunings @ $175): $10,500
• Regulation (3x @ $800): $2,400
• Minor repairs: $1,500
• Total: $56,400
• Resale value (30 years): ~$38,000
• Net cost: $18,400

You save $16,000 over 30 years while enjoying an instrument that many would argue sounds better.

Questions to Ask When Buying Restored

Before committing to a restored piano, get clear answers:

1. "Who performed the restoration, and what are their credentials?" Look for Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) certificationAsk about their training and experience
2. Look for Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) certification
3. Ask about their training and experience
4. "What specific work was done?" Get an itemized listAsk about parts that WEREN'T replaced and why
5. Get an itemized list
6. Ask about parts that WEREN'T replaced and why
7. "Can I see before-and-after documentation?" Photos of the restoration processWritten reports on soundboard condition, pin block, etc.
8. Photos of the restoration process
9. Written reports on soundboard condition, pin block, etc.
10. "What warranty do you offer?" Reputable shops offer 1-5 year warrantiesUnderstand what's covered and what's not
11. Reputable shops offer 1-5 year warranties
12. Understand what's covered and what's not
13. "Can I have the piano inspected by an independent technician?" Any legitimate seller will agree to thisIf they refuse, walk away
14. Any legitimate seller will agree to this
15. If they refuse, walk away
16. "What's the service history after restoration?" Has it been kept in proper conditions?Has it been regularly tuned?
17. Has it been kept in proper conditions?
18. Has it been regularly tuned?
19. "What's your return policy?" We offer a 30-day satisfaction guaranteeThis is standard among reputable restoration shops
20. We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee
21. This is standard among reputable restoration shops

The Supreme Pianos Restoration Philosophy

At our Fishkill workshop, we follow a simple principle: Every restored piano should meet or exceed Steinway's original factory specifications.

That means:

Our standards:

• Steinway-approved parts (or equivalent quality vintage parts)
• Traditional materials (wool felt, not synthetic)
• Period-correct finishes (not modern shortcuts)
• Extensive regulation and voicing (40+ hours per instrument)
• Humidity-controlled environment during and after restoration
• Comprehensive documentation for every client

We don't take shortcuts. We don't use inferior parts. We don't rush.

Our goal is simple: When you play one of our restored Steinways, you should experience the same touch and tone that a 1920s concert pianist enjoyed—or better.

Making Your Decision

Here's my advice after 30 years and hundreds of piano sales:

Buy new if:

• Budget isn't your primary concern
• You want modern features (Spirio, etc.)
• The "new piano experience" matters to you emotionally

Buy restored if:

• You're a serious player who values tone above all
• You want maximum value for your investment
• You appreciate craftsmanship and history

Buy recently used if:

• You want a compromise between new and vintage
• You're buying a mid-tier brand

Most importantly: Work with someone who will give you honest advice rather than just trying to make a sale.

Visit Our Showroom

We keep 8-12 restored Steinway grands in our Fishkill showroom at any given time, ranging from Model S to Model B. We also typically have a few new instruments for direct comparison.

I encourage you to:

• Play both new and restored instruments side by side
• Bring your teacher or a pianist friend
• Take your time—this is a major purchase
• Ask questions (we love talking about piano restoration)

No pressure. No commission sales tactics. Just honest guidance from someone who's spent a lifetime with these instruments.

Schedule a Private Showing