In a message dated 96-08-07 03:11:52 EDT, you write:

>
> WOW $35K for a reproduco.  I wonder what my seeburg MO is worth NOW!  :)
> A friend of mine just bought a Reproduco from another mbs collector for
> $1500.  Does he qualify as an advanced collector?
>
>-

He probably qualifies as a knowledgable one.  The fact of the matter is
that values of these machines have steadily been declining after the
investor driven madness of the 1970- early 80's.  Once you actually
evaluate what an instrument is MUSICALLY, you then have to realize how
much it is going to cost to restore it, which is often where the real
value is.  Sure,  there may be only ONE Englehardt BanjOrchestra in
existence,  but if it is in badly unrestored condition,  sitting at an
auction with no one around who knows how rare it is,  do you think it
will fetch $50,000 if a collecot who knows its value isn't there?

Unfortunately,  most collectors I have known and restored for kept
instruments for two main reasons:  investment ( a "rare collectible"
mentality) and the prestige of having something apparantly "unique" (as
far as friends and non-automusic people wee concerned).  I can count on
the fingers of my hand the collectors/enthusiasts who were really into
the machines for musical/technological reasons.  I once asked a
well-known collector the title of a fox-trot playing on his WurliTzer
style C orchestra piano- "I don't know what the hell it is-  I never
listen to the damn thing" was his enlightened reply.

Better to build up your own to play your favorite roll type than to pay
5-figure prices for something you can't take with you past your grave!

Cheers,

S.K.Goodman