I am considering the purchase of an upright, coin-operated, Melville
Clark player piano. The asking price is $1500.00 which seems high
to me, judging by other regular players for sale. I have to drive
some distance to inspect and hear it operate. I am taking the word
of the seller that it is in nice, operable condition.
It has a serial number of 1941. It is coin operated, taking quarters,
or it operates by the switch. It has two different sized drums and
a tambourine, as well as the rolls, all housed in the lower portion.
I am debating the drive since I know _very_ little about player pianos
and value. I have owned several pianos over the years but none was
a player or coin-op piano. Assuming it is in acceptable working order,
I was hoping for some rough estimates in value and advice on this
piano.
Does it take special rolls? Are they readily available? I see so
many players with the QRS brand rolls. Is this the same? It would
seem that with the drums and tambourine it would require certain rolls.
Looking at pictures of this piano, the internal electrical workings
seem "fairly" modern. Is it likely some sort of retro-fit? Factory?
If the serial number provided me is correct, then the Internet tells
me that this piano is from before 1901.
Any advice or help would be appreciated.
Jeff Adkins
|