What is the difference between a student edition piano and a regular piano. I am wondering because I'm looking to buy a piano and my mom's friend has one he is willing to sell me but it is a student edition. I dont know if it will be like my student classical guitar that i got last year and now need a new on because im too good for it.

The difference between 'student' models and higher end models will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some 'student' models from manufacturer A are better than 'professional' models from manufacturer B.

What makes some pianos better than others? There are different standard in quality of wood used. Two pianos side by side may both be described as using spruce for their sound board but one will use wood that came from the out side of the tree, or several trees, another will use only heartwood from the center of one tree. The paint used, the number of coats of paint. the quality of the steel used to cast the harp frame - some use recycled metals, soem use only virgin metal. The action that throws the hammer (is it a Renner or another brand) Even the pins in the pin block have different qualities, shapes and sizes. How many laminates in the pin block? The quality of the damping felt.

And who or what put the piano together.

Most of the differences are things most people do not see.

If you like the sound of the student model piano and the price is good you should be able to sell it dow the road should you ever want to replace it with a higher quality piano. The most noticable thing you would probably notice is the feel of the keys and the action.
But you will need to be realy into piano playing for a while to notice this making a difference in your playing.

When you are ready to move up in quality you also have the options to upgrade your 'student' model piano. I have an old piano right now in my house that is ready for some string replacement. Since I have years of piano technology training I am going to rebuild it and in the rebuild I will be installing higher quality parts, including taking out the old pin block and installing a new one, blued-nickle pins, Renner actions,top quality German wire (except the bass strings which will be custom made by someone local).

Even if you were to get a professional model to try and avoid having to replace it later as you progress you might find as you progress that you like the action of Yamaha Pianos better than Steinway - so you will end up replacing the piano anyway.

Thanks so much. Your reply was really helpful. The student piano is a krakauer (I don't know what you think of them) but i guesse the best way to see how the piano is is to go check it out. Once again, thanks.

Krakauer?
Oh, I thought you said it was a student model piano.

Krakauers are all handmade pianos. They have a unique construction different from many others. They have a special reinforced brdige section which helps to produce a wonderful stable tone. They have something Krakauer calls tone chambers for grand piano resonance in an upright or spinet piano. Many have the back of the piano closed ( a lot of people don't like this and I didn't at first but. . ) The closed back is intended to allow you to place the piano anywhere without sacrificing easthetics. Your guests don't have to look at the soundboard ribs. Like I said earlier, at first I didn't like this but after rebuilding a few pianos in my days I can tell you with the back protected you won't see shoes prints or cracked soundboards because of people dropping things in there or kicking it.

You should find the Krakauer action very similar to a Renner action feel. There are a lot of top notch players with Krakauers in their homes. There is no reason not to like this piano. It is only not well known because there are so few of them because they are not mass produced, only handmade. I suspect there are fewer than 1500 worldwide today. You should like this piano; if it was well taken care of you will.

Pay close attention to the sound. If it is not tuned listen to the lower 1/3rd of the notes as there are fewer strings per note down there. Take your time and feel the action. Even if this action has not been reworked or adjusted you should find a nice even 'push' throughout the range of the keys. Should be similar to a good German Fuerich piano.

There is no reason not to like this piano; and I would not put it in the 'student model' category.
John

Thank you again. You are being very helpful. and yes i did say it is a student model. It is my moms friend and he said that it is a student model Krakauer console piano.