Diane Hofstetter wrote: > What to do with player pianos? I know less about them than probably > _anyone_, but own three. > The most recent acquisition is a Pianola 64 key two string unison thingee. > The player doesn't work. Dates from about 1960. Gut it? Or? Burn it. > Another is a Sherman and Clay by Aeolian. Don't know age, has plastic > pneumatics, doesn't play. Gut it? Or? Burn it. > Last is old upright, don't need answers :-o) Old uprights are often a challenge under any circumstances because of their age and the economic liabilities of rebuilding. Old players from the early 1900's through the 1930s in general, however, have the most potential for becoming fun and great instruments if rebuilt properly. This goes doubly so for player grands, particularly Ampico, DuoArt, and Welte. NEVER gut these systems from grands. They are far more rare than upright players and continue to increase in value and desirability among collectors today. In the coming decades expect these to fetch serious money, even in unrestored condition. In general most old players were well built and lasted for decades before requiring rebuilding work. Any player from this era has far more potential for rebuilding than any post WW II built player. Rob Goodale, RPT Las Vegas, NV
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