Hi, I am Steve Grattan and have been a lurker on this list for several
years.  I own and operate a business in Port Huron, MI, known as the
Lost Chord Clinic.  I restore pianos, players, nickelodeons, reed
organs and almost anything else that gets in my way.

In reference to the post regarding player piano prices, I had to speak
up.  There is a big difference between a truly restored piano and what
is shown on eBay or the web site.  A truly restored piano has, at the
least, been restrung and the bridge caps, soundboard repaired or replaced,
pinblock repinned or replaced, action completely rebuilt -- new leather,
felt, center pins and the like, new hammers, dampers, all action felt,
key bushings, key pins, balance and front rail holes and mortises
replaced or repaired, all keybed felt, all bushings and properly
lubricated and regulated.

Then you start on the player stack/reproducing mechanism/bellows or
pump mechanism. Metal should be replated, valves and pouches replaced,
broken wood parts remanufactured and replaced, etc.  Then refinishing..
Anything less than that is not restored.

In my shop, I have no trouble at all getting  $7,000 to $12,000 for
a completely restored player piano.  I guarantee them for five to ten
years.  I also have a three year backlog of restoration work with 30+
of my own instruments to restore.

The term "restored" gets used way too often and most times improperly.
Repaired, partial restoration, reconditioned are better descriptions
in most cases.  Many people I run into believe their piano has been
restored when only bridle tapes and hammer shaping has been done.
When we show them a real restoration they are shocked.

The use of certain terms causes a lot of poor purchase decisions to
be made.  Especially in the case of people that know little or nothing
about pianos.

This post is not to chastise those who are selling on eBay or MMD.
It is intended to educate people that the old players by and large are
not junk with no value.  Far too many are being busted up and burned
and our heritage is fast disappearing.  Many of the old players and
uprights, properly restored, are far superior to most any piano built
today.

Steve Grattan
Lost Chord Clinic
Port Huron, MI