Steinway grand model guide
Steinway Model M
The Model M is Steinway’s medium or studio grand: longer than the compact Model S but still proportioned for homes, teaching studios and smaller professional spaces.
Its manageable size makes it a useful comparison point between compact domestic grands and the longer Model O or A.
Model M specifications
Current published dimensions are shown as a guide. Earlier examples can vary slightly, so confirm the individual instrument before arranging access or placement.
Model
M
Medium or studio grand
Length
170cm
Approximately 5ft 7in
Width
About 147cm
Approximately 57¾in
Made in
Hamburg and New York
Details vary by period and factory
Character and intended use
The Model M offers more string length and soundboard area than the Model S while remaining easier to place than Steinway’s longer grands. A well-prepared example can provide responsive control and a broad tonal palette for serious home practice, teaching and chamber-scale rooms.
Period and factory labels are useful context, not a substitute for playing the piano. Hammers, action geometry, regulation, voicing, structural condition and room acoustics all influence the result.
A practical fit for
- Serious domestic practice
- Teaching studios and rehearsal rooms
- Players wanting more scale than a compact grand
- Rooms that cannot comfortably take a Model O or A
What to assess on a used Model M
Tuning and structure
Check tuning-pin security, bridges, soundboard, strings, frame and any evidence of previous structural work. Request records where available.
Action preparation
Test repetition, key weighting, evenness and control at quiet dynamics. Establish whether hammers, action parts, regulation or voicing need attention.
Musical balance
Listen across bass, tenor break and treble. Compare sustain, clarity and projection in a room similar to the piano’s intended home.
Compare Model M with S and O
The shorter Model S has the smallest footprint. The Model M adds scale length without moving into the room demands of the longer Model O. If possible, compare all three with similar preparation and condition.
The best choice is not automatically the largest piano. Match the instrument to the player, acoustic, access, budget and likely restoration needs.
Considering a Model M?
Send the serial number, photographs, dimensions and known restoration history for an initial discussion.
Explore the Steinway range
Compare the full grand range, browse current pianos, or ask the Oxford team about a specific instrument.