Steinway Model Z Upright Piano

The Model Z, also known as the Z-114, is the smallest Steinway upright you are likely to find. It stands 114cm tall, about 3ft 9in, and was made in Hamburg. Many of the Model Zs in the UK date from the 1970s. It is a neat, compact piano that brings Steinway quality to a small room.

How to tell if you have a Model Z

Look inside the lid for the model on the cast iron frame. If you cannot see it, measure from the floor to the top of the lid. At about 114cm, a Steinway upright is almost certainly a Model Z. It is also around 145cm wide, a little narrower than many uprights.

Your serial number will tell you the year it was made.

Who it suits

The Model Z suits a flat, a small living room or a practice room. Because it is short, the strings are shorter too, so the bass is lighter than on the Model V or Model K. For a beginner or a casual player, that rarely matters.

What a Model Z is worth

Model Zs vary a lot in price. An older piano needing work may sell for a few thousand pounds. A fully restored example can sell for nearer £15,000 at a UK dealer. Condition makes the biggest difference.

What to check

• Age. Use the serial number. Many are now 50 years old, so the hammers and strings may be due for attention.
• Hammers. Grooves in the felt mean they are worn.
• Keys. Sticking keys usually need regulating, which is routine work.
• Damp. Rust on the strings or a musty smell is a warning sign.

Thinking of selling your Model Z?

We buy Steinway Model Z uprights from private owners across the UK, in any condition. Send us the serial number, a few photos and your postcode, and we will come back with an honest offer. There is no obligation, and collection is free from a ground floor room.

Related pages

Steinway Model V · Steinway Model K · Steinway upright pianos · Selling your Steinway