| If you want to save money, buying used anything can | | | | pedal). But by all means check the other two pedals if |
| be a good way to go. This is no different when it | | | | it has them. If the digital piano only has one foot pedal, |
| comes to digital pianos. You can buy a good, used | | | | it will be the sustain pedal. Play each note with the |
| digital piano if you know what to look for. But there are | | | | sustain pedal held. Release the pedal and play the next |
| certain pitfalls you will want to avoid. Regardless of | | | | note. |
| how cheap the digital piano is, it's not a good deal if it | | | | Turn up the volume - Turn the volume up as loud as it |
| doesn't play right. | | | | will go. You want to see if the speakers crackle at |
| Check the key action - Play each of the 88 keys one | | | | higher volumes, or if they crackle at any volume level |
| at a time. Do they all still feel good? You want to see | | | | in between. Definitely look for crackles with the volume |
| if any of the keys have a tendency to be unnaturally | | | | up while playing the lower notes. |
| stiff when pressing down or if any have a tendency to | | | | Turn down the volume - It's not a bad idea to see |
| stick down and not return to the resting position after | | | | what the digital piano sounds like when the speakers |
| being depressed. You will also see if any keys wobble | | | | are off. You can hear squeaks and other noises that |
| from side to side by going through this exercise. | | | | the volume would have covered up. You may be able |
| Check if the touch response still works - Touch | | | | to hear odd noises, such as clanking, that may indicate |
| response is the digital piano feature that varies the | | | | there are some mechanical problems. |
| volume based on how hard you strike the key. This | | | | Check for any damage - This is easy enough. Just |
| feature gives you more control over the piano's sound, | | | | look at it. What kind of shape is it in? What kind of |
| and it brings you closer to the feel of an acoustic | | | | damage has the body been through? The more wear |
| piano. To check the touch response requires playing | | | | and tear the body has been through, the more likely |
| each key again. And don't just play each key once. | | | | something internal may not be working (or soon to not |
| Play it at all volumes, from striking it softly to striking it | | | | be working in the future). Here's a tip: Check the |
| very hard. I'm not talking about adjusting the volume | | | | keyboard for any stains from drink spills. You probably |
| knob to get this volume change. I'm talking about | | | | won't see any because the seller would clean this up. |
| adjusting the velocity with which you strike the key. | | | | So press down each key and look for stains on the |
| You may find that some keys have lost their touch | | | | sides of each key. The seller is less likely to clean this |
| response and always sound loud no matter how soft | | | | up, and it will let you know something was spilled on |
| you play them. You wouldn't notice this unless you | | | | the keys. |
| played each note individually. A side benefit of this is | | | | Those six steps should help you avoid getting a |
| that by playing each key you may notice that some | | | | damaged used digital piano. But don't forget to use |
| keys stick when played at different velocities, whereas | | | | your judgment with the seller. There are dishonest |
| in Step 1 they hadn't stuck. | | | | people out there, and if you think you are dealing with |
| Check the pedals - Make sure the foot pedals are all | | | | one I'd suggest back out. Especially if the deal seems |
| in working condition. The most important foot pedal | | | | too good to be true. |
| that needs to work is the sustain pedal (the far right | | | | |