Sell Your Piano
The Pianos We Choose
Every piano offered for sale by Sykes & Sons begins with a decision: whether it is an instrument upon which we are prepared to place our name.
We purchase only a small proportion of the pianos offered to us.
Each is considered individually, not simply according to the name on the fallboard, but for the quality of its construction, its structural and mechanical condition, its musical potential and the extent to which it warrants the considerable work that may follow.
This selectivity is important, as our customers should always be able to approach any piano offered by Sykes & Sons knowing that the first and perhaps most important judgement has already been made: we chose it.
An instrument need not be perfect when it comes to us. Indeed, many are not.
Our workshop exists precisely because worthwhile pianos sometimes require considerable preparation.
But there must first be a worthwhile piano.
Pianos of Interest
We regularly consider instruments by:
Bechstein · Blüthner · Bösendorfer · Challen · Chappell · Danemann · Fazioli · Fazer · Grotrian-Steinweg · Kawai · Kemble · Knight · Schimmel · Steinway & Sons · Welmar · Woodchester · Yamaha
We are always pleased to hear from owners of good-quality British, European and Japanese acoustic pianos, particularly those which have been well maintained and remain substantially original.
Other makers may be considered where the individual instrument is of sufficient quality and suitability for our stock.
A recognised name, age, rarity or historical interest alone does not make a piano suitable for our stock. We judge the piano before the badge.
What we do not purchase
We do not ordinarily purchase:
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Grand pianos below 150cm in length
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Pianos manufactured outside of the UK, Europe, or Japan, such as China, Indonesia or Korea, irrespective of the brand
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Digital, electric or electronic pianos
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Instruments with serious structural or environmental damage
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Pianos which have been deemed beyond economical repair
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Pianos requiring expenditure substantially disproportionate to their eventual musical and commercial value
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Instruments which have been extensively altered, irrespective of brand
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Ex-hire pianos
If a tuner or technician has advised that your piano is no longer economically repairable, or cannot reliably be maintained at standard concert pitch, please do not submit it for purchase. Sykes & Sons does not offer a piano disposal or clearance service.
Painted pianos:
We do not purchase pianos which have been painted (using chalk paint, or domestic emulsions such as Lick PRO, Farrow & Ball, etc.).
This applies regardless of maker or mechanical condition, and whether the work was undertaken privately or commercially.
Submitting Your Piano For Consideration
If you believe your piano meets the criteria above, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please contact us via our email to provide:
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Maker
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Model (if known)
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Serial number (if known)
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Clear photographs of the complete piano, keyboard and interior (if possible).
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Location
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Telephone number
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Maintenance history: approximate date of its most recent professional tuning
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Details of any known faults or alterations
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The price sought
We will make an initial assessment from the information provided.
Where an instrument is of interest, we will contact you within 7 days to discuss the next stage.
There is no charge for offering a piano to us for purchase. This initial consideration is simply to establish whether it is an instrument we may wish to acquire.
Does your piano have ivory keys?
The sale of pianos with ivory key coverings is subject to specific requirements under the Ivory Act 2018.
Our guide explains how the law applies to older pianos, which instruments may qualify for exemption, and what owners need to do before offering an instrument for sale.
Sykes & Sons cannot consider any piano with ivory keys unless it has already been registered under the appropriate exemption.
Looking for a valuation?
If you would like to establish what your piano is worth, whether for sale, insurance or your own information, this is available through our separate professional Piano Valuation Service.
We do not provide valuations through a purchasing enquiry.
Professional valuation is a separate, chargeable service, undertaken following an appropriate assessment of the instrument.
