Hi All,

I know that some of you rebuild players full time. It has been mostly a
hobby for me . But since we have finally paid off the mortgage, (HURRAY!),
we have been considering a career change.  My profession has always been
sales/service of Citizen Band radios, and restoring vintage car radios.

However, since we have been producing rolls and rebuilding more players,
I feel ready for a change after 20 years. The CB radio market is becoming
grim at best, largely being replaced by cellular telephones. The vintage
radio market alone doesn't bring in enough to sustain us. The player
market around here might be good. There aren't many around, with no
competition within 100 miles or so. The player pianos are noticeably
absent in this area, due in part to the "player gutter" tuners around
here.  I always go to the big cities to find them.  They seem plentiful
enough.

However, it takes time to properly restore a player. There are only a
limited number of people who are willing to pay the price for a
first-class restoration. But to do any less than a first class rebuild,
I just couldn't stand the thought... I would not be comfortable restoring a
reproducing piano for someone else. I feel that I need more experience
in that area before I do it for someone else. But I am very comfortable
with the pedal pumpers. This is mostly a rural area, and I would probably
have to take on a few non-players at first.

The first advantage is that my wife Chris, is very knowledgeable about
player pianos, she really likes them, so I would  have some help. I think
between producing rolls (which we enjoy more than anything else we have
ever done), and piano work.  We just might find our 'niche in life.

I would be very much interested in hearing from you 'full timers" on how
to set up such a profession.  Should I buy players and resell? Or should I
contract work, or both?  Where should we start?  How do you keep the bills
paid and food on the table between restorations? How do you let the public
know you're out there?

Please give me your thoughts.

                                                             Cheers
                                                             Andy Taylor