This is in response to John A. Tuttle's posting to the 071016 MMD on
the value of player pianos, and also about removing original systems
from them to install electronic player systems.

Monday, November 12, a somewhat typical day in the shop.  Two customers
called, wanting assistance in selling their player pianos, and someone
else called with a free player piano.  A day doesn't go by without at
least one of these calls.

I explain that I don't need any more pianos to go with the fifty that I
already have.  I try to lead them in the direction of keeping their
piano: "There must be someone in your family that would want it."  "No,
no one wants it.  There is no room.  Too expensive to restore."

Value of a player piano?  It doesn't matter what price I place on a
player piano, there is no one looking to purchase.  I have fully
restored and restrung players for sale for under $4000, a beautifully
playing 1936 Fischer Baby Ampico for $5500, a nice late Duo-Art Stroud
grand for $5,000, plus functioning late Aeolians from $1000.  Nothing
moves.

On the other hand I have sold a Chickering ex-Ampico grand with Piano-
mation (it wasn't I who removed the Ampico action), and two other
Pianomation installs in the past six months.  Automatic musical instru-
ments are my passion.  But they are also my bread and butter.  There-
fore I must look at the handwriting on the wall.

I have a question for the purists/hobbyists.  What would you have me do
with my art-case Duo-Art Stroud, fully-restored Weber Duo-Art grand,
George Steck Duo-Art, Mason & Hamlin Ampico grand, Marshall & Wendell
Ampico grand, not to mention the Ampico grands of several customers
wanting to sell them?  If they aren't marketable with the reproducing
systems in them, I have no qualms about removing the systems and re-
placing them with an electronic system.

I do agree that the electronic systems do not come close to the dynamic
range of pneumatic reproducing pianos.  But pianos are meant to be
enjoyed, not stored in the back of the shop collecting dust.  A chal-
lenge to those of you who may think that I am an evil man: buy them or
find me buyers. If you purchase a piano from this posting, I will give
you a 15% discount.  If you send me a customer, you will receive a 7%
commission.  Some of the pianos mentioned are listed on my website:
http://bartonplayerpianos.com.

In the late 1970s or early 1980s, Coca-Cola ran a very popular adver-
tisement that prominently displayed a player piano, with folks gathered
around singing and drinking Cokes.  That created a huge spike in player
piano and roll sales.  Where are you when we need you, Coca-Cola?


Donald Barton, RPT DPS