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Hello.

I have been offered and Steinway Model OX. I can find only Model O but no OX.

I have searched the Internet and I only found one on a restorer.

I would be very grateful if you could let me know what is the X for.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Best wishes

Antonio

The X denotes a model that was extended for a player mechanism. They are not a desirable as the same model that was never extended.

Thank you very much for your answer.

This OX is the same as the OR?

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/49272/1.html

Why is not as desirable as the model O?

The seller told me that it has been reconditioned by Steinway.

This is a picture of the OX.



Sorry for bothering with more questions but I am considering buying it.

Best wishes

Antonio

If it has a working player mechanism that has been restored like the rest of the piano, it could be a very cool instrument. Check the action, sometimes these pianos can "play like a truck". They can be regulated so that isn't an issue, however, it's something to watch for. If the action is to your liking, a tech checks it out, you're aware that it won't have the same resale value as a non player, and you like the price, I say go for it, it could be a very nice instrument. A nice budget way to get a Steinway. If you plan to keep it, who cares about the resale value anyway?

Thank you Pianolance.

I have uploaded an image.

Does it look as piano that had a player?

Another picture



Best wishes

Antonio

You need to show the area between this shot and the keyboard. If there is a big (5 inches or so) space there, it was a player.

(Amazing how often people choose just the wrong shot!)

Thank you.

I was not the one that took the picture.

It was sent by the seller.

I will ask for the picture that you ask.

Best wishes

Antonio

If it is a player, would that have the same scale design as the traditional Steinway O or the smaller M?

Rich

It should have a harp (and soundboard and strings) of the O-180 type.

The photograph shows a newer type of cast iron for the harp as the "crowning bubbles" around the sound holes in the frame to the right (treble) side are yet away. (I would like to know the year when they disappeared. Maybe this depends on New York/Hamburg or may differ from model to model.) Elder harps have these tiny half ball bubbles around the holes. The bubbles once may have helped feeding the liquid cast iron during the cast process and getting stiff. Newer harps often show a cast letter (i.e. "O") with the serial number in the frame triangle near the pianist.

The X extension normally is around 6 inches i.e. around 15 cm. As the normal O length is 180cm, an "OX" should have an overall case length of 195 cm plus or minus.

If the player is away and the openings are covered, AND the keyset is running smooth, an ex player can be of a bit advantage as the longer keys may bring the touch & feel near to a concert grand. But the resale value of an ex player will normally be lower. That should be "priced in" at a buy - if you don't intend to keep the piano your whole life long.

If the piano is restrung after the player being removed, has new hammers and a refitted mechanism (and a good soundboard), an ex player is not of disadvantage - regarded technically. The estimation that an ex player would be of lower value is related to the assumption of much more wear - having been used (..abused..) with an often running player..) But if every wear parts are refitted? Then I would not hesitate to buy it - if the sound, touch and feel is OK - and if I am aware of same discussions with potential further buyers about value and originality..

One additional information: Steinway never built "Player Steinways".. They solely built instruments whose housing was stretched, sold it to the Aeolian and Ampico and Welte companies et cetera. They there installed the player - and sold the intrument on their own risk and accountings. Just for being accurate. ;-)

Many players were XM - i.e. extended M. They have the harp of the M-170, and soundboard. Their case is derived from (or same) as the O-180.

But there exist also some XO (or "OX"?) - extended O which should be around 6 inches longer than a normal O.

Thank you for all the comments and information.

The model is an OXR (the seller just told me).

He told me that the case is 1,80 meters.

Would it be an L, an O or an M:

Thank you in advance and very best wishes

Antonio

You need a picture as I told you, but with the music desk removed. If the lowest two notes on the tenor bridge, the notes just above the bass, are overwound with copper, then it is an M. If they are plain wire, it is an O. You could also see whether the case was extended for a player.

What is the serial number? If it was made in New York after 1923, it must be an M. It is not an L, because the rear corner has a big curve, rather than a tight curve.

At the end of the player era, some of the Steinways were returned to them and rebuilt as regular pianos. I do not know how they were designated.

The problem with the ex-players is that the keys are so long, they can be a bit mushy. I do not know whether that would bother you or not.

I used to have an XR that was an M scale. I believe, from the photo, that this piano also has an M scale. The XR I had was a very nice piano sound wise, but it did have the "play like a truck" syndrom.

if you look at the original pic you can clearly see that it has the 15cm (more or less) with the little covered opening for the player mechanism.

Thank you to all that have answered.

I have learn a lot.

Finally this what I could get from the serial number and Steiwnay services.

This Steinway "corresponds to a New York Grand Model M Mahogany Player Piano completed on 13 April 1918 and shipped to dealer The Aeolian Company (player piano outfitters) of New York City on the same date."

Thank you again

If this is true, the seller will have the documentation to prove it. Otherwise, chances are the work was done somewhere in eastern Europe, where they do work that usually looks good on the outside but is lacking in other departments: technically and musically. Make sure you know what you are buying.