Baby Grand Piano Buying Guide

A baby grand piano occupies an interesting place in the market between full concert grands and premium uprights. If you have the space in your home for a baby grand, they can make a powerful design statement. They are also a delight to play, offering deep resonance generated by the large soundboard.

Unlike an upright piano, a baby grand has a horizontal soundboard and strings. This means that the hammer action relies on gravity rather than springs, which can result in a much more expressive and responsive playing experience.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a baby grand, we’ve put together this short buying guide. This guide will help you to determine which piano is right for you, while also offering some expert advice on getting a great deal.

We’ll also look at things like ongoing maintenance costs, and the resale value of baby grand pianos, so you can feel confident making a long-term financial decision.

Why choose a baby grand piano?

The main reason for choosing a baby grand piano is the size. These are typically around 4'11" and 5'6", which is much smaller than a full-sized concert grand. So if you don’t have the space or the budget for a full-sized grand piano, this offers a popular compromise.

A baby grand is a step up from an upright piano, as it allows you to enjoy the authentic touch and resonant tones of a horizontal soundboard. The mechanical action is far superior in a baby grand, which results in a very enjoyable playing experience.

The unmistakable sound of a baby grand allows you to enjoy a more direct sound, which uses the cabinetry and open lid to project the sound of the instrument. In short, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the richness of a much grander instrument, without sacrificing the same amount of floor space.

How much should a baby grand piano cost?

A baby grand piano will typically cost between £3,500 and £15,000, depending on the make and model. Premium models can cost in excess of £70,000 for luxury instruments like a C Bechstein or a Steinway.

Since baby grand pianos are typically made to last, they do offer good resale potential. This means that you can often find a quality used baby grand piano for a fraction of the cost. We have used baby grand pianos listed for as little as £4,500.

When choosing a baby grand piano, you’re paying for the prestige of the brand, plus the quality of the materials. With good care, a baby grand could continue working for as long as 100 years or more, so it’s certainly an investment.

Digital baby grand pianos are also available, starting at just £1,500. These are not anywhere near as large, as the cabinetry isn’t required for the large soundboard. In these pianos, the large casing helps to amplify the sound of the onboard speakers.

Acoustic or digital baby grand piano?

If you are looking for a baby grand acoustic piano because you simply need something slightly smaller than a grand piano, then a digital piano is unlikely to meet your needs. Acoustic and digital pianos are very different, particularly when it comes to grand and baby grand pianos.

With a digital piano, you might be able to replicate the look of the cabinetry, but the open lid is really just acting as an amplifier for the internal speakers. With an acoustic baby grand, the cabinetry amplifies and directs the sound of the internal mechanism, which is why it offers such a rich and tonal quality.

Choosing a digital piano in a baby grand style is more about a style choice than an upgrade in sound quality. But if you have the space for a baby grand, but need the flexibility of being able to plug in headphones or connect to a laptop, then a digital baby grand offers the ideal compromise.

New or used baby grand piano?

The easiest way to save money on your baby grand piano purchase is to opt for a used piano over a new piano. This can often allow you to purchase a much more expensive model, without the upfront cost.

If you decide to purchase a quality used baby grand, make sure you have a chance to play it before you make a final decision. Pianos vary so much between brands and models, and words online can only do so much to tell you how it feels to play it.

What are the maintenance costs for a baby grand?

Your main expense with a baby grand piano will be the bi-annual tuning, which typically costs between £80 to £150 per visit. You might also need a pitch raise if the piano has not been tuned for a long time.

Other maintenance costs to consider include regulation and voicing every 3-5 years, which will cost around £800 to £2000. You might also need to invest in climate control measures, as big changes in temperature or humidity will have a significant impact on the soundboard and other components.

A well-maintained baby grand piano will typically last for 50 to 80 years, so if you are buying a vintage instrument, make sure you factor this into the projected lifespan. Moving a baby grand piano can also be an expensive undertaking, so it’s wise to only place an instrument of this scale in your home if you expect this to be your forever home.

Do baby grand pianos appreciate in value?

While a baby grand piano may be a significant investment, you cannot expect it to hold its value like some items. If you have a particularly rare vintage piano, it is likely to hold its value better than a standard baby grand, but it’s unlikely to increase in value.

Certain brands like Steinway and C Bechstein tend to maintain some resale value, but due to the size of these instruments and difficulty moving them, many people struggle to sell them on if they aren’t a particularly noteworthy brand or model.