The “strings attached” to used pianos - and how we aim to mitigate them for you

Once upon a time, before I became a piano tuner/technician, I responded to an ad for a "free piano". By the end of that experience I had spent more than $1300.00! Between the cost of the piano move (which was a nightmare to schedule), paying for three piano tunings (the piano hadn't been tuned in 12 years), and various repairs, the cost of ownership was much higher than anticipated.

In your search for a used piano, you’ll find all kinds of pianos either for free or for very cheap, but it’s not so simple. Ultimately, all "free pianos" have strings attached, just not the musical kind. There are a number of factors to consider, ones that will end up being costly to get the instrument in the condition to have a quality sound.

This situation is the very reason Prosper Pianos exists. As a pianist, piano teacher, and piano tuner, I wanted to create an outlet in Brooklyn for those who are seeking risk/hassle free, mechanically reliable, and cosmetically attractive upright pianos. My passion is simple: I find excellent pianos to restore, refurbish, and reasonably price. I aim to make the experience of purchasing a quality instrument pleasant and hassle free, which is why I ensure that piano movers and tuners are covered in the cost of the piano, so the buyer is not left to deal with all the logistics of diagnosing issues with it, getting them fixed, and getting the piano moved into their home.


Currently, I have an inventory of 18 restored pianos, which include makes such as Baldwin, Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Mason & Hamlin, C. Bechstein, Young Chang and Kawai. Pianos are generally priced between $2500 and $15,000, with room for negotiation and financing options. All the pianos we restore come with a clean bill of health, so you don’t have to worry about hidden costs and unexpected issues. That includes a soundboard and bridges in excellent shape or repaired, and a tuning pin lock in excellent shape. These are all aspects of the piano that are the most expensive to repair, so their health is very important and hard to discern to the untrained eye. When we refurbish a piano, we take a full factory style regulation process. We also polish each piano and tune them to A440. Piano price is based on labor and materials used, as well as playability, sound, cosmetics, and tuned/regulated. The price of any piano purchased also includes insured, professional delivery, home tuning, and a bench.

Here is a video where you can learn more about my story and the collection: https://youtu.be/ZnA6aysCYq0?si=EG5jcYrygNuKL7UM

All pianos are available for month to month or long term rental, with rent-to-own options; rates available upon request.

You can listen to all our current inventory on our youtube channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEidnknPE6JbZ1PyORM_Sh4C5LwB_Zu9B&si=ikidyLu2GwsflWZa

Current inventory

Grands:

Mason Hamlin Model BB in Ebony
Mason Hamlin Model AA in Walnut
C. Bechstein Model V in Ebony
C. Bechstein Model A in Walnut

Uprights:

Yamaha M3 in White Polish

Yamaha U3 in Ebony

Steinway & Sons Model F in Walnut
Boston 116-S in Walnut
Steinway & Sons K52 in Walnut
Yamaha M2H Console in Walnut
Baldwin Hamilton in Walnut
Samick in Polished Ebony
Kawai Console in Oak
Hailun Upright in Ebony