What should I pay for a student model (206, etc.)?

[0Hz]

I'm really enjoying my older wurlis, but I am interested in experiencing a 200 series.  Of the two that I currently have, I have only played the 700, which I like, but supposedly has the worst action ever.  I have never even seen, much less played a 200 series.  I though i could pick up a student model because I wouldn't need to gig with it, but it seems that in the midwest right now, all I see on CL are people asking over $800 and sometimes over $1000 for them.  Are these prices high? or should I just start saving my pennies?

[pianotuner steveo]

Those prices seem high to me. When I owned a bunch,I was never able to get more than $500 for any that I sold, but that was a few years ago.

Being heavier, they tend to sell for less because they are more difficult to gig with.

Have you ever checked into a 140B? The action is very close to a 200 series. They weigh more than a 200, but far less than a 206.

[0Hz]

Steveo, I have seen a few 140s on CL around here but they seem to be at a similar price right now. I wasn't aware that their actions were similar.  I have a fairly heavy playing touch. Which one do you prefer?  Maybe I should be checking at local schools for dusty, undiscovered 206s.

[Rob A]

I sold my excellent condition 206A for $350 in the Midwest (Kansas City area). I may have been able to get more, the first inquirer bought it. I had posted a demo video on YouTube, so he bought it without really checking it out himself (which I'd never advise, even though I did the necessary demonstrations on my video).

I think 350 is the upper bound for the Midwest market, maybe a hundred bucks more on the coasts. They can't be gigged without chopping, and can't be shipped, so only local buyers are possible.

[adcurtin]

I'd beat really happy if I can find a 206A for $350 around here. Pretty much any piano I've seen is almost $1000 here in michigan.

[Rob A]

There's a chance I'm underestimating the value then.

Of course the sellers can ask any price they want, what price they can obtain determines the value.

[pianotuner steveo]

Rob, what I think happened was that a whole bunch of schools and colleges got rid of their 206's right around the same time a few years back and that flooded the market. I acquired 12 from one college, 2 from another, and 2 from another. I have not seen any available in a while. I am guessing that some of us got very lucky and bought them at the right time. Most of the units I sold were in the $250-$400 range. I think I got close to $500 for one. And I made a large profit at the time....

It's like the time when I acquired a near mint MK 1. A guy haggled with me and reluctanly paid me about $425 for it. That same piano would be worth at least $800 today....

[0Hz]

Yeah, I think the prices are a bit inflated right now because if a 206 is worth $1000 then is a 200a worth $2000?  I mean, maybe to a professional musician, in perfect condition, and in LA or NYC, but not in the midwest or other rural areas.  Anyways, do you think any high schools have any of these?

[pianotuner steveo]

 It is possible that high schools would have them but they are not  generaaly allowed to sell their old equipment outright.  They usually auction them off, at least in my neck of the woods. I had to follow a trail for about a year in order to bid on the 12 that I got in one auction. I had the first bid, then some idiot that had no idea what they even were bid against me. I was horrified. Luckily, he only bid once and everyone else stayed out of it, so I got them all on the third bid.

[adcurtin]

Any idea how I would find out of a school has them, or if they sold them in the past? I'm thinking University of Michigan or Michigan State University, both are fairly close.

[pianotuner steveo]

Well, just call the music dept and ask. I would ask if the have either a Rhodes or a Wurli for sale. Buy and resell  the Rhodes if you need to, and use that money for a wurli assuming that you make a profit.

Less than 10 years ago. I bought a working 140B on ebay for $40. I refurbed it and think I only got a few hundred for it.  Should have waited to sell it.

BTW, 0hz asked about the actions. I also have a heavy touch and my first Wurli was a 700. Not a good match for me. ( Love the sound,though) My second was a 140B ( a different one) and that was much better, there is only one really minor difference in the 140 action than in a 200 action. I slightly prefer the 140, the capstan is in the key instead of the whippen.

[SlowMonroe]

I'd go for a 140B over a 140, since the electronic parts are still available (for the most part).  I think the wood case gives it a fuller tone than a 200 series. I personally wouldn't pay more than $500 for a 206. 

Like Steveo, I (really) like the sound of the 120/700 series too, but the action is less than desirable. They are also the hardest to work on IMO, but they have a bit more of a distorted sound than later models (in a cool way).

[0Hz]

Yeah, I love the sound of my 700. I sometimes hook up a bass amp to the external speaker jack and the sound is tremendous!  I love to listen to "That's the Way Love Is" by Marvin Gaye.  It sounds like a 120 was used on it, but I could be wrong.

[pianotuner steveo]

The 700 and 120 have the exact same amp, action, and keyboard. The cabinet and speakers are different.

[sebastian188]

I bought and have several late 60's 206's that I am restoring one at a time. I generally make them into 200 style portables, but have the msuch they can still use the base if desired. I make the headphone out jack the new aux out. Mine have very clean internals and teh tops are mostly really clean, although I do repaint some of them. Anyway, I have a couple ready for sale now in the orlando area.