Dan Wilson's excellent article on external piano player devices in
MMD 010212 gave some pricing ideas for 65-note and 65/88-note Aeolian
Pianola push-up players.
Without detracting from his article, I think he is rather high on the
prices that need to be paid for these instruments. A good working
65-note push-up can be obtained for 1000 British pounds, or $1,400.
A working 65/88-note push-up can be obtained for under 2500 British
pounds, or $3,500; prices above these are usually freak, due to inlaid
cases. A good 65/88-note player in good working order has recently
been bought in the UK for 2,000 pounds or $2,800.
Although the 65/88-note players raise higher prices, a good Themodist
65-note player can give excellent results at a much lower price, and
also has some unique rolls to play on it. The editing of the rolls is
so cleverly carried out that the musical effect is not a lot different
to 88-note rolls, plus the fact that 65-note rolls are half the price
and obtainable in abundance.
Malcolm Cole
The Player Piano Group
London
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