How Much Is a Pre-Owned Steinway Worth?

What is a Pre-Owned Steinway worth in 2026? Real prices by model, age and restoration level, from a Steinway rebuilder that ships nationwide.

There's no "blue book" for Steinway pianos. What a pre-owned Steinway is worth comes down to four things: the model (mostly its size), the era it was built in, how much restoration it has had and with what parts, and the condition it's in today. Two pianos with the same model letter can be tens of thousands of dollars apart, and a century-old instrument can sell for more than one built twenty years ago. In our own studio in Lehi, Utah, the Steinways on the floor today are priced from $17,900 for a restored upright to $79,000 for a nearly new grand.

Below are real asking prices from our current pianos, followed by why the prices land where they do and how to tell whether a price is fair.

The Short Answer: Pre-Owned Steinway Prices at a Glance

Prices are Riverton Restorations' asking prices as of October 16, 2026. Inventory changes, so check each listing for current price and availability. New prices are the figures shown on our individual listings; they vary with model, finish, and case design, so read each one on its own. For example, our Model A is an art case piano, and its listing shows a higher new price ($173,100) than our larger Model B's ($146,900). Treat each new-price figure as specific to that piano's listing, not as a general price for the model.

What Determines a Steinway's Value

Model and size

Steinway's grands come in letter models: S, M, O, A, B and the D concert grand, plus the older L. Bigger pianos generally cost more, both new and pre-owned. A longer piano has longer bass strings and a larger soundboard, which is a big part of why players reach for a B or an A when they have the room for one. Our Model M grands are 5'7", the O is 5'10", the L is 5'10.5", the A is 6'2", and the B is 6'11". For one model's numbers in depth, including why a new B costs so much more than a restored one, see our guide, Steinway Model B price. Uprights are their own category, with height doing the work that length does in a grand.

Age and era

Age matters, but not in a straight line. Many players and collectors prize Steinways from the decades before the 1940s, often called the golden era. Pianos from the 1960s through the 1980s vary a great deal depending on how they've been cared for and what's been done to them. Modern instruments from the last twenty years or so can often be bought in original condition, without a rebuild. The individual piano matters more than the decade.

Restoration level

This one moves value more than almost anything else, and it's the one people talk about most loosely. In rough order of how much work is involved:

• Original condition: the piano has its factory parts and hasn't needed major repair. This is common and appropriate for younger instruments.
• Reconditioned: worn parts are adjusted or replaced as needed, but the structure isn't taken apart.
• Rebuilt: the piano is taken down to its structure, and the major wear components (strings, pinblock, often action parts, sometimes the soundboard and bridges) are replaced or restored.
• Factory-restored: the restoration was done by Steinway & Sons itself.

A word like "restored" on a listing tells you very little by itself. We've written at length about what "fully restored" should mean, and the short version is: ask exactly what was done.

Parts provenance

You'll hear a strong view, particularly from Steinway and its dealer network, that only genuine Steinway parts keep a Steinway's value intact. There's real substance to that. Parts made to Steinway's own specifications are designed for the instrument. There's also room for honest disagreement, because a well-chosen aftermarket part installed by a skilled technician can serve a piano well.

What matters most to value is that you know which parts went in and that the work is documented. At Riverton, we list the work and the parts on each piano. When a piano has authentic Steinway action parts, a factory-rebuilt belly, or a certificate from Steinway & Sons, we say so. When we use components such as a Bolduc pinblock or Mapes bass strings, we say that too. There's more on how we think about this in Is there a right way to rebuild a piano?.

Finish and case

Ebony, in satin or polished, is the most common finish and the easiest to compare. Exotic veneers and special cases are a different story. Our 2006 Model M Player Piano is finished in Kewazinga Bubinga, a striking veneer with a deep, three-dimensional figure, and it now carries a new PianoDisc Prodigy wireless player system with a library of more than 600 songs. Our 1894 Model A is an art case piano. Our second 1925 Model M was recently restored here in a mid-century look based on the Teague sketch design. It now has a polished ebony cabinet set off by a silver plate and silver hardware. Pianos like these are priced on their own terms. A buyer who loves that particular look will value it more than the market average, and one who doesn't, won't.

Condition of the soundboard, pinblock, and action

Under the finish, three things carry most of the value:

• Soundboard: the large wooden panel that amplifies the strings. Look for cracks, loss of crown (its slight arch), and separation from the ribs underneath.
• Pinblock: the laminated wood block that holds the tuning pins. A pinblock that no longer grips its pins well won't hold a tuning, and replacing one is major work.
• Action: the many moving parts between key and string. Worn hammers, sluggish repetition, or an uneven touch all cost money to put right.

A beautiful cabinet over a worn pinblock and action is worth far less than it looks.

Original vs. Restored: How Rebuilding Changes the Price

Three of our Model M grands, all 5'7", show how much the history of a piano moves its price.

• The pre-owned 2003 Steinway Model M in cherry is in original condition. We inspected it closely and found it didn't need major repair or replacement. It's $64,900.
• The 1925 Model M restored by Steinway & Sons went through a complete restoration at Steinway in 2018 and is finished in polished ebony. It's $56,900.
• The 1979 Model M rebuilt with authentic Steinway parts was completely rebuilt in 2009 with all-Steinway & Sons parts, bringing it up to Steinway's current performance standards, and it comes with a certificate of authentication from Steinway & Sons. It's $59,900.

So a piano nearly eighty years older than the 2003 sits within $8,000 of it. Here's why. Once a Steinway is properly rebuilt, its age matters much less than the quality and completeness of the rebuild. The parts that wear out (strings, pinblock, hammers, action parts) have been renewed. The parts that don't really wear out, such as the rim, the plate, and the scale design, are the same as they always were. The 2003 earns its price by being young and untouched. The 1925 earns its price by having been brought back by its maker.

Restoration paths also differ, and each says something different to a buyer:

• Steinway factory restoration: that's the 1925 M above. The maker did the work.
• A Riverton rebuild with Steinway parts and factory belly work: our restored 1894 Steinway Model A was restored here with authentic Steinway hammers, shanks, repetitions, and flanges. Its belly (the soundboard, ribs, and bridges) was rebuilt at Steinway's New York factory. It's $67,900.
• A Riverton full rebuild that keeps good original parts: our restored 1985 Steinway Model B was fully rebuilt with new strings, a new Bolduc pinblock and Bolduc bridge cap, Mapes bass strings, diamond tuning pins, and new agraffes. The plate was regilded and the touch weight corrected. The original hammers and spruce keys were kept, which preserves the piano's authentic character. It's $69,900.

That last point is worth dwelling on. A good rebuild doesn't replace everything for the sake of a longer parts list. It replaces what's worn and keeps what still performs. When you compare rebuilt pianos, the question isn't "how much was replaced?" It's "was the right work done, and is it documented?"

Pre-Owned vs. New: How Much You Save

Using only the figures on our own listings, here's what the difference looks like:

• 1985 Model B: $69,900 against $146,900 new shown, about 52% less.
• 1894 Model A: $67,900 against $173,100 new shown, about 61% less.
• 1981 Model L: $58,900 against $115,400 new shown, about 49% less.
• 2023 Model O: our pre-owned 2023 Steinway Model O is $79,000 against $115,400 new shown, about 32% less. That's for a piano only a few years old in original condition.
• 1925 Model M (Steinway-restored): $56,900 against $103,700 new shown, about 45% less.
• 1979 Model M: $59,900 against $108,700 new shown, about 45% less.
• 2003 Model M in cherry: $64,900 against $143,000 new shown, about 55% less.
• 1903 K-52 upright: $29,900 against $74,700 new shown, about 60% less.

Even our newest grand comes in about a third below the new price shown, and a fully rebuilt instrument often comes in at half or less.

The usual worry with buying pre-owned is giving up the warranty that comes with a new piano. Every piano we sell carries a 5-year warranty covering manufacturer-level repairs, the same kind of coverage a typical manufacturer's warranty provides.

How to Find Your Steinway's Age (and Why It Matters)

Every Steinway has a serial number stamped on its cast-iron plate. On a grand, look on the plate near the tuning pins above the keyboard. On an upright, open the lid and look on top of the plate. Enter that number in Steinway's serial number lookup to find the approximate year it was built.

Age is a starting point, not a price. Two 1920s Model Ms can be worlds apart: one rebuilt by the factory, the other untouched for decades. The serial number tells you when the piano was made. Only a close look at the instrument tells you what it's worth today. If you own a Steinway and want a real number, request a full piano appraisal.

How to Verify a Fair Price Before You Buy

Whether you buy from us or anyone else, a fair price on a pre-owned Steinway should come with answers to these questions:

1. An itemized work list. What exactly was done, and when? "Restored" isn't a work list.
2. A parts list. Which parts are new, and are they genuine Steinway or aftermarket? Which original parts were kept, and why?
3. The serial number. Check it yourself against Steinway's lookup, and make sure the model and year match the listing.
4. An independent technician's inspection. A good seller welcomes one. Pay a qualified technician to look at the soundboard, pinblock, and action, especially if you can't play the piano in person.
5. Current photos and video. Ask for recent, well-lit photos, including inside the case, and video of the piano being played across its range.
6. Warranty and return terms, in writing. Know what's covered, for how long, and who does the work.

The only way to put a dollar figure on one particular piano is a full professional appraisal. Riverton offers full piano appraisals, for owners who want to know what their instrument is worth and for buyers who want a second opinion before committing.

Buying a Steinway From Out of State

You don't have to live near Lehi to buy from us. A few things make a long-distance purchase work:

• Nationwide shipping. We ship anywhere in the United States, with the same care that goes into the restoration.
• White-glove delivery. A piano isn't just dropped off. It's moved by people who know fine instruments and is placed and settled in its new room. You can read how we approach white-glove delivery.
• A 5-year warranty. The same coverage applies whether you live across town or across the country.
• Live, interactive video walkthrough. If you can't visit in person, a live, interactive video walkthrough of any piano is available on request, where you can hear the piano and ask questions directly to the restoration staff.

If you're weighing a Steinway against other fine makers, the Steinway difference explains what sets its sound apart. When you're ready, browse our pre-owned Steinway grand pianos or reach out with questions about any instrument. Showings at our Lehi studio are by appointment.

FAQ

How much is a pre-owned Steinway grand piano worth?

It depends on the model, era, restoration, and condition. As of October 16, 2026, our pre-owned Steinway grands range from $56,900 for a 1925 Model M restored by Steinway & Sons to $79,000 for a 2023 Model O in original condition. Our fully rebuilt 1985 Model B is $69,900. To value a specific piano, you need a full appraisal.

Do Steinway pianos hold their value?

Steinways sell at a significant discount to new, but they don't fade away like most pianos do. That's because a Steinway can be rebuilt. With proper restoration, the parts that wear out are renewed, while the rim, plate, and scale design stay the same. That's why a century-old Steinway can still command a price close to that of one built twenty years ago.

Is a 100-year-old Steinway worth buying?

It can be, if it has been properly restored and the work is documented. Our 1925 Model M, restored by Steinway & Sons in 2018, and our 1894 Model A, with its belly rebuilt at Steinway's New York factory, are both examples. An unrestored century-old piano is a different matter. Its value depends on what it would cost to bring it back.

Is a restored Steinway worth more than an original one?

Not automatically. A young piano in original condition, like our 2003 Model M ($64,900), can be worth more than an older restored one, like our Steinway-restored 1925 Model M ($56,900). For an older piano, though, a thorough, well-documented rebuild is usually what gives it its value. The quality of the work matters more than the label.

How do I find out how old my Steinway is?

Find the serial number on the cast-iron plate. It's near the tuning pins on a grand and on top of the plate on an upright. Then enter it into Steinway's serial number lookup on steinway.com. The age is useful background, but it doesn't set the price on its own.

How much does a Steinway upright cost pre-owned?

As of October 16, 2026, our restored Steinway uprights are $17,900 for a 1974 Model 45, $19,900 for a 1968 Model 100 recently rebuilt with authentic Steinway parts, and $29,900 for our restored Steinway K-52 upright, a 1903 piano rebuilt in 2025 with all Steinway & Sons parts.

Can I buy a pre-owned Steinway from another state safely?

Yes, if the seller documents the work, lets you or your technician inspect the piano, ships with care, and backs it with a written warranty. We ship nationwide with white-glove delivery, and every piano carries our 5-year warranty.

What warranty comes with a pre-owned Steinway?

It varies by seller, so get it in writing. Every Riverton Restorations piano comes with a 5-year warranty covering manufacturer-level repairs, the same kind of coverage a typical manufacturer's warranty provides.

How do I get my Steinway appraised?

Contact us to request a full piano appraisal. Riverton offers full piano appraisals that look at the model, age, restoration history, and condition of your specific instrument.

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Know What Your Steinway Is Really Worth

Whether you're buying or selling, the honest answer starts with a close look at the instrument itself.

Request a full piano appraisal, or browse our pre-owned Steinway grand pianos.