Used Steinway Pianos: Models, Prices & What to Look For
Steinway & Sons has defined the concert grand since 1853, and no brand holds value like it. A Steinway is a hand-built instrument designed to be rebuilt: with a quality restoration, an 80-year-old Steinway can be — and often is — a better instrument than many pianos sold new today.
That longevity cuts both ways for buyers. The used market includes everything from meticulously restored instruments to tired pianos trading on the name, and the difference is tens of thousands of dollars of restoration work. The provenance and the rebuilder's reputation matter as much as the serial number.
What Steinway & Sons is known for
- The warm, singing, endlessly colorful "Steinway sound" preferred by most concert artists
- Hand-built construction meant to be restored and passed down generations
- The strongest resale value in the industry — quality Steinways appreciate over decades
- New York vs. Hamburg builds, each with devoted followings
Popular used Steinway & Sonsmodels & prices
Model S (5'1" baby grand)
$15,000–$40,000 used/restoredThe smallest Steinway — the Steinway voice for rooms that can't fit more. Prioritize condition over age here; small pianos hide wear less.
Model M (5'7" — 'the Medium')
$20,000–$55,000 used/restoredThe classic home Steinway. Balanced, room-friendly, and the most common model on the used market, which keeps prices rational.
Model O / L (5'10¾")
$25,000–$65,000 used/restoredThe 'Living Room Grand.' Noticeably more bass and projection than the M; many rebuilders consider it the best value in the lineup.
Model B (6'11" — 'the perfect piano')
$40,000–$95,000 used/restoredThe model technicians famously call near-perfect. Serious musicians who have the space rarely regret a good B.
Model D (8'11¾" concert grand)
$60,000–$150,000+ used/restoredThe concert-hall standard worldwide. On the used market these are institutional or collector purchases.
Ranges are typical asking prices for privately sold and dealer-restored instruments in the U.S.; condition, age, and restoration quality move prices substantially.
Steinway & Sons pianos for sale now
DealerFair Deal1993 Steinway & Sons B
Mesa, AZ
Grand
Stilwell Pianos
Nationwide Delivery Available
$49,990
View details
Good Deal1895 Steinway & Sons Model B art-case
Santa Fe, NM
Grand · Excellent condition
Nationwide Delivery Available
$48,000
View details
DealerSteinway & Sons M
Milford, MI
Grand
PianoNation
Nationwide Delivery Available
$10,995
View details
DealerSteinway & Sons S
Milford, MI
Grand
PianoNation
Nationwide Delivery Available
$147,999
View details
DealerFair Deal1996 Steinway & Sons Model B
Portland, OR
Grand
Portland Piano Company
Nationwide Delivery Available
$67,915
View details
DealerGreat Deal1904 Steinway & Sons Model A
San Antonio, TX
Grand · Excellent condition
Alamo Music Center
Nationwide Delivery Available
$17,888
View detailsBuying a used Steinway & Sons: what to check
- Ask who restored it and what was replaced — a Steinway rebuilt with genuine parts by a respected shop is a different asset than a cosmetically refreshed one
- Check the soundboard for cracks and the pinblock's tuning stability; these are the expensive repairs
- Original condition isn't automatically better: a 1920s Steinway with its original action will likely need $15,000+ of work to play as intended
- Verify the serial number matches the stated year, and be wary of prices that seem too good — 'Steinway' on the fallboard is the most counterfeited-around name in pianos (watch for 'Steinway-designed' marketing)
Frequently asked questions
Do Steinways really appreciate in value?
Well-maintained and properly restored ones generally have, historically. But restoration costs are real — the appreciation story works when you buy a good instrument at a fair price, not any piano with the name.
Restored vs. original — which should I buy?
For pianos older than ~50 years, a documented quality restoration is usually the better instrument. Original examples matter most to collectors.
What does a Steinway restoration cost?
A full rebuild (soundboard, pinblock, strings, action) from a reputable shop typically runs $30,000–$70,000 — which is why a properly restored used Steinway at $45,000 can be a genuinely fair price.
Selling a Steinway & Sons piano?
List it free on US Piano Connection and reach buyers nationwide — read our guide to selling your piano or start your listing.