We are known for offering premium reconditioned pianos that have been meticulously prepared to meet the highest standards of touch, tone, and reliability. However, we understand that not everyone can, or wants to, spend thousands on their first piano, but that shouldn’t mean settling for a piano that is unfit for purpose.

At Sykes & Sons, we believe a piano should be an instrument of craftsmanship and substance, built to provide decades of dependable music-making. This is why we limit ourselves to makers with a proven pedigree for solid, well-engineered pianos that stand the test of time.

In this article, we take you inside the history, the science, and the sheer craftsmanship that keeps spruce wood at the very core of piano soundboards — and explain why, even after three centuries, there is still no better choice.

It is a scenario we hear almost every week: “Someone’s offering us a piano for free — should we take it?” On the surface, a free piano sounds like a dream come true. After all, it’s a big, beautiful instrument, and you’re saving hundreds or even thousands of pounds… right?