What's wrong w/Steinway XR pianos

[s***@lanemusic.com]

For years I have been looking for a cheap XR Steinway (under $3k) because of
the long keys and spare two cubic feet above the action. This is the ideal
piano to install Midi stuff and such.
My Forte mods love long keys. Give a shout if you have one you want to lose.
DBR

Dealers don't want a former reproducer because there's not enough margin
for profit in a restoration. A restored reproducer without the reproducer
action will generally bring about 1/2 to 2/3 what a similarly sized
non-reproducer will bring - not enough to make the job worthwhile.
Though they are not all yuppies, a lot of people who are looking for a
Steinway really just want furniture that has snob appeal. These people
don't care what the piano sounds like, or even if it plays. They just want
something attractive that says Steinway on it to put in their living room.
To them, the reproducer with its extra legs and strange appearance is just
not pretty enough.
Many serious musicians will also shy away from a reproducer because the
action is a compromise.
So, now you know. Musicians don't want it because it plays funny, snobs
don't want it because it looks funny, dealers don't want it because they
can't make any money. Take heart. If you lower the price enough, sooner
or later someone will want it. If you can put a working reproducer in it,
there is a demand, and it will bring top dollar for its size.
Frank Weston

Thank-you in advance.
I ran an ad for my Steinway 6' 1" grand and numerous dealers called

inquiring

whether it was a former reproducer. It is, and none of the dealers were
interested in it. Why not, out of pure curiosity? Also, several yuppie

types

came over and expected a complete history, age, model etc. of this

elderly

piano and wanted me to describe to them what they were looking at. I

invited

them to have a seat, play the instrument and evaluate the richness of

it's tone

and the response of it's keys. None seemed impressed with this method of
evaluating a piano. Any comments?
Regards,
Mike

Are you still looking for a Steinway XR. We have one in our store that we're looking to sell. We could part with it for $4500.

[w***@gmail.com]

Dale, We are moving into retirement and need to pass along our Steinway reproducing grand, that is in good working order. If you are still in the market for one, please call 703 548 9614 in Arlington, VA or email to ***@Juno.com Thanks! Bill Quinn

[d***@gmail.com]

I came across a Steinway model XR for sale for $2,500. I haven't gone to see it yet, but looks beautiful from the pics. If I have my piano tuner come look at it with me and it checks out ok, is that a good deal? Seems like it is to me. Thanks!

[d***@gmail.com]

Did you ever check it out? Does it have the repro system intact?

[d***@gmail.com]

I did check it out. The reproducer mechanism is there but doesn't work. Underneath the piano was a big piece of canvas so I couldn't see what was under there but the owner said the reproducer doesn't work. I'm not sure I want it since that part didn't work and I don't believe anything has ever been replaced so not sure if the soundboard would need replacing at some point. I don't want something I have to put more money into.