I believe every player piano is worth more with the player parts.  One
with the parts can add tons of musical enjoyment and fun.  The problem
is that we as collectors or enthusiasts are not doing our job of
marketing the player piano to the general public.

It is amazing how few people have been exposed to a player piano.  Just
think, the college students entering college this year have never seen
a real record store and many do not know what records really look like.
They grew up with the CD player.  Think of how many of your neighbors
actually have a player piano.

I have always liked mechanical items and the player piano fills my
needs to tinker with something mechanical.  They can be used year
'round and you do not get greasy while working on them like you do when
you work on a car.

The player piano can be repaired indoors where the weather is always
nice.  Car collectors can't take their prized car out in the snow and
rain for fear of something happening.  The player piano can provide
hours of real live piano music where as the car collector can only
listen to the speakers of his stereo.

The player piano can give you plenty of exercise with its pedals,
and I guess the car collector whose car breaks down can get exercise
pushing his car home.  I personally find the coin operated player
pianos with their stained glass fronts and quarter sawn oak cabinets to
be more attractive than many cars.  A steam locomotive still holds the
attention of anyone standing near it as does the sound of a fine old
player piano.

Don Teach - Shreveport Music Co., Inc.
Shreveport, LA 71105