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Buying a digital piano can feel a bit like buying a car.
You start off thinking, “I just want something decent that works,” and before you know it, you’re comparing model numbers, finishes, speaker systems, key actions, warranties, delivery options, part exchange values and wondering whether you’ve accidentally signed up for a GCSE in Yamaha Studies.
One of the biggest questions people ask us is:
Should I buy a brand-new digital piano, or would I be better off buying used?
It’s a brilliant question. And the honest answer is: it depends.
Helpful, I know. Pulitzer-level stuff.
But there are a few simple things worth thinking about before you decide where your money is best spent.
Let’s start with the obvious one.
Buying a brand-new Yamaha digital piano is lovely. You’re getting the latest model, the newest design, the current features, and the peace of mind that comes with being the first owner.
No mystery history. No previous owner. No wondering whether someone once hammered out “Let It Go” on it for six months solid before giving up and using it as a shelf.
If you want the newest Yamaha ARIUS, Clavinova, CSP or CVP model in a specific finish, buying new makes perfect sense.
It also means you’re getting the most up-to-date technology. That might be a newer piano sound, improved speakers, updated Bluetooth or app connectivity, better cabinet styling, or simply the reassurance that you’re buying the current range.
For some people, that matters a lot.
And fair enough. There is something special about a brand-new instrument arriving in your home, untouched and ready to become part of your life.
Because used digital pianos can be seriously good value.
That’s the big thing.
A used Yamaha digital piano can sometimes get you into a higher-quality instrument than the same money would buy brand new. You might find yourself looking at a better key action, a stronger speaker system, a nicer cabinet, or a model from further up the range.
And that’s where used pianos become really interesting.
Because the thing that matters most is not always whether a piano is new. It’s whether it makes you want to sit down and play.
Specs are useful, of course. But specs don’t inspire you on a rainy Tuesday evening when you’ve got ten spare minutes and fancy escaping into music for a bit.
A good piano does that.
Whether it’s new or used.
Some people hear the word “used” and immediately picture something dusty, tired and suspicious, possibly haunted by a Grade 2 exam from 2009.
And yes, if you’re buying privately from a stranger online, there can be a gamble. You may not know how the piano has been treated, whether everything works properly, or how on earth you’re going to move it without destroying your hallway, your back, or your relationship.
Buying used from a specialist shop is a very different thing.
At ePianos, our used digital pianos are checked, prepared and sold with proper support behind them. You’re not just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. You’re buying from people who know what these instruments should sound and feel like.
That matters.
A used Yamaha digital piano that has been properly checked over is not the same thing as buying one blind from “Dave, 3 miles away” who says, “Yeah mate, worked last time I tried it.”
No offence to Dave. I’m sure he’s a treasure. But I don’t necessarily want him diagnosing a Clavinova.
One reason used Yamaha digital pianos are so popular is that Yamaha instruments tend to be built properly.
That doesn’t mean every used Yamaha is automatically perfect. Age, condition, usage and model all matter. But Yamaha has made some excellent digital pianos over the years, and many of them still have a lot to offer.
A good used Clavinova, for example, can still be a very serious home piano.
It may not have every feature from the newest range, but if the key action feels good, the sound is convincing, the speakers are strong, and the cabinet is in nice condition, it can be a very smart buy.
For most home players, that’s the real test.
Does it feel good?
Does it sound good?
Does it make you want to play more?
If the answer is yes, you’re already most of the way there.
I’m not going to pretend used is always the answer. It isn’t.
Buying new is the better choice if you want a specific current model, a particular finish, the latest features, or simply the reassurance of owning something from day one.
It also makes sense if you’ve tried a new Yamaha and fallen in love with it. If the right piano for you happens to be brand new, then brilliant. Don’t overcomplicate it.
The mistake is not buying new.
The mistake is buying the wrong piano because it was convenient, cheap, or available immediately.
That applies to used as well, by the way. A bargain is only a bargain if it’s actually right for you.
Used can be the smarter option when your budget is fixed, but your standards are a bit higher than your wallet would ideally like.
Which, frankly, is most of us.
It can be especially useful if you’re upgrading from a basic keyboard or entry-level piano and want something that feels more substantial.
Maybe you’ve started lessons and realised you need a better action. Maybe your child has stuck with it longer than expected and now deserves something more inspiring. Maybe you used to play years ago and want to get back into it properly without spending brand-new Clavinova money.
That’s where used Yamaha pianos can really shine.
You may be able to get a more serious instrument, with a better feel and sound, for less than you expected.
The smart money is not automatically new.
And it’s not automatically used either.
The smart money is on the piano that gives you the best playing experience, the best value, and the best chance of actually keeping you at the instrument.
Because that’s the whole point.
A piano should make you want to play. It should pull you in. It should make five minutes at the keys turn into half an hour without you noticing.
Sometimes that piano will be brand new.
Sometimes it’ll be a properly checked used Yamaha that saves you a decent chunk of money.
Either way, the goal is the same: finding the right instrument for your home, your playing, your budget and your future.
If you’re considering a used digital piano, keyboard or organ, take a look at our latest used instruments here:
View used instruments:
https://www.epianos.co.uk/used-stock/
Our used stock changes regularly, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on what’s available.
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These items are sold on behalf of Yamaha, and are sent to us on a per-order basis, typically within 5-7 working days, unless an ETA is otherwise stated.
We'll contact you the moment your purchase arrives with us to organise delivery, based on your selected option.
Example products: Yamaha DGX670, Yamaha P-525, Yamaha YDP-S55, Yamaha Clavinova.
These items must be sent with a heavy-goods courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via Dachser.
Tracking will be provided by the haulier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
*If you have included the optional £180 "Yamaha Premium Service" home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will contact you regarding arrangements after purchase.
**The Yamaha CSP Series, Yamaha CVP905 & CVP909, Yamaha CLP875, 885 & 895GP, and Yamaha NU1Xa are all sold on behalf of Yamaha and arrive with us on a per-order basis. As soon as your piano has arrived, we will contact you to organise the appropriate dispatch method. ETA for stock is shown on the product page for those items.
***If you have included the optional £99 home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will send your details direct to the installation team, who will contact you within 48 hours to make arrangements.
Depending on which option is most appropriate, we will either contact you to discuss a bespoke ePianos delivery surcharge for goods we can’t package for a 3rd party courier, or otherwise dispatch goods via FedEx or APC.
If a courier is used, tracking will be provided by them directly, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Example products: Yamaha PSR-SX920, Yamaha P-225, Yamaha NP-15.
These items will be sent via courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via UPS or Parcelforce.
Tracking will be provided by the courier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Smaller items, such as books, discs, etc, will be dispatched via Royal Mail second class.
After purchase, you can download the file either from the order confirmation page or the "Downloads" tab in "My Account".
If you have selected the option to receive a pre-loaded USB stick, then this will be dispatched via Royal Mail.
We will contact you regarding any pre-ordered items, and let you know when they arrive so as to arrange delivery with you at a convenient time.
Used items can also be purchased using either of the following options (minimum loan amount of £250 after deposit):
Total amount payable: £893.32
Available finance options are displayed at checkout. Alternatively, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss the options, or email a finance application to you. Find out more by clicking here
Our seasonal opening hours are as follows:
We are closed on all bank holidays, therefore the processing of sales and deliveries will be delayed.
For orders of any stock displaying a 7-10 day lead time, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
This is a special order "agency" item, and comes to us directly from Yamaha on a per-order basis.
It typically takes 7-10 days for this item to arrive with us, whereupon we'll contact you to discuss the arrangement of delivery.
For any pre-orders, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you, and update you with an ETA.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
*Cashback amount varies product to product, as indicated.
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