How to decide on a piano upgrade?

[figaro]

Hi - I had returned to piano for the past year, taking lessons and practicing daily.  I feel it's time to upgrade my existing piano, which I first received when I was in junior high and sat unused for a number of years before I started playing again.  I've had a technician look at my existing upright piano (Schafer & Sons) who did a tuning.  After a year of consistent use, my piano how is noticeably sluggish, the pedal makes a noise, and the lower notes don't sustain.  I've begun visiting showrooms to look at new pianos and occasional used upright pianos.  Cost is a factor in my decision but I also want a better playing experience with richer sound and ability to control dynamics.  I've taken a look at a few Yamaha options (U1 and YUS3, plus a baby grand), a vintage Schimmel upright from the 80s which had a nice action but I wasn't yet sure about the sound, Essex (didn't like the action), Boston (sound was ok but didn't love it), and Steinway upright (too expensive).  Since this is my first time buying a piano, are there any suggestions on which could be my better upgrade without breaking the bank?  At this time, any of these would be better than my current piano, but would like to know what I should weight into the factors of deciding. 

[lostinidlewonder]

You can always go down the 2nd hand route, check them out you may get good bang for the buck, it does cost a bit of time but can certainly be worth it.

[brogers70]

I bought an Essex grand about 10 years ago. At $15K it was not too expensive, as grand pianos go. Designed by Steinway, but put together by less experienced people. The action was not great, keys stuck, pedal made a noise. But after putting in another few thousand, the regulation is great keys don't stick, pedal is fine. Basically, my technician had to go over all the stuff the builders did not get quite right. Now it sounds great, and even with the additional money for repairs, it still came out cheaper than a better name brand.

[pianos-galore]

When deciding on the best piano for you, several factors come into play:

Skill Level: For beginners, a basic upright piano or a mid-range digital piano with weighted keys is often sufficient. Intermediate and advanced players may want to invest in a higher-end upright or grand piano, or a professional-grade digital piano.
Budget: Pianos can range from a few hundred dollars for entry-level digital models to tens of thousands for grand pianos. Determine how much you’re willing to spend and compare pianos in that price range for the best value.
Space: Consider the space available in your home. Digital pianos take up less room, and many are portable, while upright and grand pianos need more space. Measure the area before making a purchase.
Tone Quality: Test out different pianos to see which sound you prefer. Acoustic pianos generally have a more organic and rich sound, while digital pianos may vary widely in tone. Advanced digital pianos can closely replicate the resonance of an acoustic piano.
Touch Sensitivity: The feel of the keys is critical to enjoying your playing experience. Acoustic pianos naturally have weighted keys, while digital pianos may or may not. Weighted keys mimic the feel of an acoustic piano, providing resistance to your fingers as you press them.

[pianos-galore]

When deciding to buy a piano, whether first time or upgrade, there quite a number of things to consider:

1. Should you go for  acoustic or digital?
2. What key features should you consider? touch sensitivity, no. of keys, weighted keys, sound quality, connectivity options, portability, etc.
3. Then you have the budget consideration. Can you afford the high-end ones? Of course, it goes without saying that, in general, the better ones are more expensive. Or, should you go new or used?

For a more thorough discussion of the above, you may want to visit this blog article, "Piano Buying: Your Comprehensive Guide" (https://pianos-galore.com/piano-buying-your-comprehensive-guide/)