Buying Guides

Classical Guitar

Fan Bracing Explained: How Classical Guitars Differ from Steel-String

How fan bracing holds and shapes a classical guitar top, how fan, lattice and double-top designs differ, what Spanish versus violin-maker-style construction means for sound and repairs, how to spot a loose brace and what repairs roughly cost.

Classical Guitar

Cedar vs. Spruce Tops: Tonal Character on Classical Guitars

Cedar or spruce for a classical guitar top: tone, break-in time, repertoire, looks, durability, spruce species, torrefied tops, wood pairings, prices, a test-play guide, myths and buying advice by player type.

Classical Guitar

Flamenco Guitar vs. Classical Guitar: Construction and Sound

How flamenco and classical guitars differ in woods, body depth, action, tap plate, tuners and sound, blanca vs. negra, technique, US price tiers, tap plate care, action self-check and which one to buy.

Classical Guitar

Factory-Made vs. Handmade Classical Guitars: Quality Indicators

How to judge classical guitar quality beyond the label: factory vs. workshop vs. luthier-built, price tiers, build checks, rosette and binding, labels, resale value, a test-playing checklist and buying advice by budget.

Grand Piano

Determining a Grand Piano's Age From Its Serial Number

How to actually find out how old a used grand piano is, instead of taking a seller's word for it.

Grand Piano

Rebuilt vs. Original: What "Fully Rebuilt" Actually Means

The term "rebuilt" covers everything from a full factory-grade restoration to a light cosmetic refinish - ask what was actually done.

Grand Piano

Humidity Control Systems for Pianos: Are They Worth It?

In-piano humidity control systems are a recurring recommendation from piano technicians - here's what they actually do.

Grand Piano

Soundboard Crown and Downbearing Explained

Two technical terms piano technicians use that explain far more about tone than crack cosmetics do.

Grand Piano

Is a Free Grand Piano Actually a Good Deal?

Free or near-free pianos show up constantly in classifieds - the real cost is almost never the piano itself.

Upright Piano

Piano Regulation vs. Voicing: What's the Difference?

Two services piano technicians offer that are easy to confuse but affect completely different things.

Upright Piano

Determining a Piano's Age From Its Serial Number

How to actually find out how old a used upright piano is, instead of taking a seller's word for it.

Upright Piano

Is a "Free Piano" From Classifieds Actually Worth It?

"Free to a good home" pianos are everywhere in classifieds - the real cost almost never comes from the piano itself.