In this guide, you’ll discover exactly how much different pianos cost, how to make the right choice between digital or acoustic, and where to find reliable advice and purchase options in The Hague.
Piano Types & Price Ranges
Acoustic pianos
Upright pianos are the classic choice for homes. They offer the authentic, rich sound that many associate with the true piano experience. For beginners, reliable models start around €1,600. Quality brands like Yamaha and Kawai range between €4,000-€8,000.
Grand pianos are the premium choice for serious pianists. Prices start around €13,000 for smaller models and can go up to €200,000+ for top brands like Steinway & Sons or FAZIOLI. For example, the FAZIOLI Grand Piano F278 mk III costs €219,857 – an instrument on which I recorded my latest album. You can hear the sound in the video below.
Digital pianos
Entry-level models are perfect for beginners wanting to discover if playing the piano suits them. Good digital pianos start around €500-€1,000 and offer weighted keys and high-quality sound samples.
Professional digital pianos (€2,000-€6,000) combine advanced sound technology with the playing feel of an acoustic piano. They are ideal for advanced players who want flexibility without compromising on quality.
Second-hand pianos
Prices here vary widely: from “free” pianos on Marktplaats (usually a false saving) to €5,000+ for well-maintained instruments. A decent second-hand upright like the Eterna (renamed Yamaha) in my Studio Musicalmente in The Hague can be an excellent investment around €3,000.
What determines the price?
Brand and quality
Budget brands offer decent quality from €1,600, while established brands like Yamaha and Kawai ensure reliability starting from €4,000. Premium brands like Steinway, FAZIOLI, and Bösendorfer start from €90,000 but offer unparalleled sound quality and craftsmanship perfection.
New vs second-hand
New pianos come with a warranty and are technically perfect, but are significantly more expensive. Second-hand pianos can offer excellent value, provided you know what to look for. The danger lies in pianos that haven’t been tuned or checked for years – mechanical problems can completely disrupt the playing experience.
Condition and maintenance
A well-maintained piano retains its value and playing quality. Factors affecting the price include tuning frequency, condition of hammers and strings, and overall mechanical state. A technical inspection is essential for second-hand purchases.
Buying vs renting: what suits you?
Advantages of renting
Renting is ideal for beginners who are still discovering if playing the piano will be a long-term passion. You invest minimally, can try out different instruments, and don’t have to worry about maintenance or transport. Rental prices range between €50-€150 per month.
When buying is smart
Buying becomes interesting once you know playing the piano is a lasting hobby. After 2-3 years of renting, you often have already paid the purchase price of a decent second-hand piano. Moreover, you build equity instead of ‘throwing money away’.
Decision tree for beginners
- Unsure about long-term interest? → Rent
- Budget constraint but motivated? → Buy a digital piano
- Seriously planning to play for years? → Second-hand acoustic piano
- Budget no problem and quality important? → New acoustic piano
Additional costs and practical considerations
Ongoing costs
Tuning is essential for acoustic pianos: €100-€200 per year for regular maintenance. Insurance can be wise for more expensive instruments. Electricity for digital pianos is negligible.
One-time costs
Transport ranges from €100-€500 depending on distance and accessibility. Accessories such as a piano bench (€50-€200) and headphones for digital pianos (€30-€100) are necessary. Space adaptations such as floor protection may incur additional costs.
Budget planning
Account for a complete setup: piano + transport + accessories + first-year maintenance. For beginners, this means €1,000-€2,000 for a digital setup, €3,000-€5,000 for a decent second-hand acoustic piano.
Buying a Piano in The Hague
Specialized stores
Bouwman Piano’s & Grand Pianos has proven my trust. Here, I purchased my Eterna-upright for €3,000 – a renamed Yamaha with original Yamaha mechanics that still functions perfectly. They thoroughly check their second-hand pianos and offer honest advice.
Emile van Leenen Piano’s and Van Kerkwijk Piano’s are other established names in The Hague with good reputations. At specialized stores, you pay more, but you get expertise, service, and often a warranty.
Buying online
Thomann offers excellent digital pianos, often with interesting B-stock deals (nearly new, but cheaper). Bax Music also has B-stocks, but be careful: they don’t always mention what’s missing in the description. Check all the product photos yourself!
For beginners, I recommend a digital Kawai piano via Thomann – reliable quality at competitive prices.
Buying second-hand
Marktplaats can yield golden finds, but requires expertise. Free pianos are almost always problematic – not tuned for years, mechanical issues, or transport problems causing the “free” piano to become expensive after all.
Inspection checklist for second-hand:
- Are all keys functional and even?
- When was it last tuned/maintained?
- Do the pedals work correctly?
- No broken strings or hammers?
- Always have a piano technician accompany expensive purchases
Practical buying tips
What to look for during inspection
Test each key for sound and weight. Check if pedals function smoothly. Ask about maintenance history and have a technician look if in doubt. A professional inspection costs €100-€150 but can save you thousands in repairs.
Negotiation and warranty
Negotiation is common for second-hand pianos, especially if you discover defects. Always ask for a warranty, even in private sales. Specialized shops usually offer 6-12 months warranty.
Transport and installation
Always have pianos transported by professionals. Moving a grand piano costs €300-€500, an upright €100-€200. Plan the transport well in advance – good piano movers are often booked weeks in advance.
Calculate Your Personal Piano Budget
Now that you have a better idea of which path suits you – renting or buying, digital or acoustic – it’s time to make the figures concrete. All price ranges and options can be overwhelming.
To help you, I have developed an interactive budget calculator . This tool not only calculates the purchase price but also the additional costs like transport, accessories, and the first year of maintenance. Answer the three short questions below and discover your personal budget indication.
What does your ideal piano cost?
Answer the questions and click the button for a complete budget estimate.
How Studio MusicalMe helps you
At Studio MusicalMe, I guide you based on personal experience and technical knowledge. I help you make the right choice within your budget and situation.
My approach:
- Tailored advice: From budget-friendly digital Kawai pianos to high-quality acoustic models
- Risk-free trial: Test different pianos during your lessons before buying
- Second-hand expertise: I teach you what to look for and which pitfalls to avoid
My premise: A piano must be technically perfect – otherwise both the joy of playing and motivation are lost. From my experience with various instruments (from my own Eterna to studio-FAZIOLIs), I know exactly where the quality differences lie.
Conclusion
The price of a piano depends on its type, brand, and condition. For beginners, digital Kawai pianos via Thomann are a safe choice. Second-hand can be budget-friendly, but only with a technical inspection. In The Hague, specialized shops like Bouwman Pianos offer reliable service and expertise.
Ready to start? Discover our piano lessons in The Hague for adults and children.
Who am I?
I am Luca Ridolfo and I founded Studio MusicalMente in 2018. I have been driven by music since I was a child. But I was not a Musical Prodigy. I greatly enjoyed making music and had a drive to learn more about it. My music teachers supported me and always encouraged me to keep going.
And indeed, I went on to graduate from a music program at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. And even now I never stop learning.
I strongly believe that everyone can improve their musicality and that it should not be reserved only for children. That’s why I decided to open a music school for adults in The Hague.
I believe that learning creative hobbies with experienced role models is one of the best ways to develop new skills and learn more about oneself.