I can't find any info about this piano, even on Steinberg's site and promo materials (even in German), although I have visited a dealer who had one. Beautiful piano, remarkable sound. I am looking for any info you may have about it. Thanks.

rufus,

Wilh. Steinberg's IQ99 is 6'4".

You are sure it is not a Gerh. Steinberg 186 which is 6'1"?

schwammerl.

Yes, I can confirm that there are two models of Wilh. Steinberg grand.

IQ77 which is 5'8" and as schwammerl said the IQ99 at 6'4"

I used to own an IQ77 and it was a good piano. The sound was quite unique and it was solid,well built and good value for money. The only real problem I had was that it was very loud and overpowering for my modest music room. It also seemed to take a while to settle in and needed frequent tuning to keep it on song. I sold it because I needed the space (and the money!) but I do miss it.

Do check that it is not the Gerh. Steinberg because there is a big difference.

Yes, I am quite sure that it is a WILHELM Steinberg, and not a GERHARD Steinberg. Also, it prominently says "Made in Germany" on the piano.

Thank you for this info.

What is the serial number? Have you been told its age? This could explain the size discrepancy.

I don't have the serial number, but I was told this is a new product for Wilh. Steinberg, and it is definitely a brand new piano.

Could it be an IQ88?

Very funny, Chris.

Well, Rufus, there is a mistake somewhere, or this is such a new design that it is not on the Steinberg website.

That was precisely my point. I have done extensive research on Steinbergs (both Wilh. and Gerh.), including all over the web, in multiple languages, and cannot find anything about this 6'1" Wilh. Steinberg product. Yet, I have seen it, touched it, and played it. That's the reason I'm asking.

Why don't you use the contact info on the Steinberg website and simply ask them? Then report back and let the rest of the group know. There is an email address on the website (WSTPianos@aol.com).

It's also possible that the source of your measurement made a measuring error and you are dealing with an IQ99 (hold the jokes about the IQ of the guy holding the tape measure).

Contacting the Steinberg webmaster is a good suggestion, Seneca, and I will do that. However, I was looking for opinions from sources (other than the manufacturer) about quality, sound, etc., of this particular piano, and still am interested in those things.

I sincerely doubt that the dealer mis-measured, as he was very clear this was a new product and not one of the 5'8" or 6'4" models that have been discussed here. I would not presume to waste your time if that were the case.

Wilh. Steinberg have done this before : e.g. they made two unique uprights on the 135th anniversary of their factory. One instrument is still in their 'museum', the other is for sale in the Netherlands :

Steinberg jubileum piano

Wim

Thank you, Wim. That is helpful. Nice looking upright.

I emailed the factory's webmaster with my question, and have not yet heard back. Maybe because it's the weekend.

If I hear back from the manufacturer, I will let you all know.

-Rufus

Here is the info I received from Wilhelm Steinberg. They are, indeed, introducing new products:

Level IQ
100% German craftsmanship, made entirely
at our factory in Eisenberg. Klavierbau at its
best.

Level II
Pianos which combine both traditional
German craftsmanship and state-of-the-art
technology: handcrafted German
components combined with cost efficient
industrialized elements, using traditional
craftsmanship to produce the very best
sound and touch in the medium price range.
We are proud to offer all of the important key
features of German piano making in a price
range which is dominated by industrialized
pianos.

Level III
German designed pianos with selected
quality parts, manufactured in modern,
cutting-edge facilities. Quality assurance is
guaranteed by our Klavierbaumeister. Sound
and touch are impressive!
The Level III piano line confirms that German
engineering can produce incomparable
results, even in the budget range.

rufus, that still doesn't explain about the 6'1" piano you played. Were they not able to tell you anything about it?

The information from Wilh. Steinberg makes it clear that Level two and three are not made in Germany. Speculation on my part, but my guess is that Level two is hauled from Asia to Germany for 'finishing off', and that Level three is not.

If Rufus could supply the asking price on that 6'1", it would be interesting.

... and whether the 6'1" is in level II or level III.

It's gotta be level I. Rufus tells us it says "Made In Germany" on the piano.

The honest answer is that I don't know where the piano I saw fits in to their levels, but my best guess is it's in level II.

It was an extremely nice piano.

However, I have just bought a Kawai RX-2.

Rufus,

Send an e-mail to the Steinberg piano company. Frederik Steffes or someone from the company responded to my many e-mail questions about my Steinberg.

Seems odd, though, that Steinberg would introduce a piano that's 6 ft 1 in. when they already have two models in that size range.

Kevin

"Send an e-mail to the Steinberg piano company."

He did.

Rufus,

Do you recall the asking price?