How We Source Our Pianos: What Makes a Sykes & Sons Piano Different

At Sykes & Sons, our reputation rests on ensuring that every piano we offer has a story (and a standard) we’re proud to share. Each piano you see in our inventory has been personally selected, carefully evaluated, and lovingly prepared by people who are passionate about them.

We want you to know exactly what you’re bringing into your home: where it came from, why we chose it, and what makes it special. It’s this level of attention and integrity that sets us apart from the endless sea of second-hand listings and “cheap and cheerful” piano dealers.

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We only stock pianos from good, trusted makers

First and foremost, we are uncompromising when it comes to the brands and models we choose to stock. After all, not every piano is made to the same standard, and it’s an unfortunate reality that many instruments on the second-hand market today were cheaply constructed from the outset, churned out in vast quantities using low-grade materials, or designed primarily to hit a price point rather than to deliver lasting musical quality.

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 our workshop, you will often find trusted British names such as Knight, Welmar, Danemann, Kemble, Chappell, and Broadwood — builders who, for generations, set the benchmark for well-made, reliable pianos in homes, schools, and music rooms across the UK. These pianos, when properly prepared, can still deliver the responsive touch and warm, singing tone that made them household names to begin with.

Our commitment to quality doesn’t stop at homegrown brands. For customers seeking the very finest European craftsmanship, we also seek out exceptional examples from the most prestigious names in the piano world: Steinway & Sons, Bechstein, Blüthner, and Bösendorfer, as well as lesser-known brands from the European market which also deliver high levels of quality and performance.

Alongside these celebrated European marques, we also hand-pick individual models from renowned Japanese makers, especially Yamaha and Kawai. These brands are rightly respected worldwide for their meticulous engineering, superb build quality, tuning stability, and robust, reliable actions; qualities that make them a superb choice for students progressing through grades as well as for families wanting a dependable, modern instrument that holds its value.

Because we start with good bones, our skilled technicians can focus on restoring the feel and sound, rather than fighting against fundamental flaws. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, as they say, and we never try.

The result? You get a piano that inspires practice, supports healthy technique, and brings real musical pleasure year after year.

Every Sykes & Sons piano starts with a name you can trust, and ends with a standard you can hear and feel from the very first note.

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Quality Means Nothing Without Care

A piano’s history shapes its future — and a respected brand name alone is never enough. Even the finest piano, built by the best craftspeople, can only perform at its best if it has been properly cared for over the years. That’s why when we are selecting stock at Sykes & Sons, we are actively looking for pianos that have been genuinely cherished and responsibly maintained (kept in stable, heated homes, tuned regularly by qualified technicians) and avoiding pianos which are worn beyond reasonable restoration.

We have a strict policy against buying certain categories of pianos, no matter how tempting the price or the brand name might be. For example, we never stock pianos that have spent their lives in schools or institutional settings. While school pianos often start as decent instruments, the reality is that they typically endure heavy, unsupervised use, frequent moves between rooms or halls, and far less consistent care than a piano kept in a private home.

Likewise, we avoid ex-hire pianos and any instrument that has had a hard, itinerant working life, such as those used by hire companies, rehearsal studios or music venues. These pianos often look respectable from a distance but have seen countless moves, variable conditions, and relentless daily play with minimal downtime for maintenance.

Finally, we steer clear of any piano showing clear signs of neglect or abuse: poor storage, evidence of damp, pest damage, or amateur “repairs” that cause more harm than good.

This careful selection process means that when we set about preparing a piano, we’re building on strong, healthy foundations rather than trying to fight against years of damage and neglect.

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Fair Prices, Honest Deals

Our relationship with each piano often begins long before it arrives at our workshop. Many of the pianos we buy come from long-standing customers or families we have advised over the years. Sellers trust us because they know we won’t haggle unreasonably or cut corners.

We handle every transaction properly, with clear paperwork, honest advice about the piano’s condition, and no hidden surprises.

We’re proud of our reputation for fair dealing. We carefully monitor the piano market to ensure our valuations are realistic and generous, not opportunistic. We understand the true value of a well-looked-after instrument, and we make sure all of our offers reflect that. Whether someone is parting with a beloved family instrument or using our part-exchange service to change model, we believe in paying fair, transparent prices that honour both the piano’s quality and its history. When it comes to part-exchanging, our customers often tell us that our offers are among the best they’ve found anywhere in the industry.

We believe that if you’ve looked after your piano well, you deserve a fair return for it. This ethical approach benefits everyone: sellers receive a fair price and peace of mind knowing their piano will be cherished by a new owner, while we maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect. It’s one of the reasons so many people come back to us when it’s time to find a piano a new home, or to find their next one.