Our store has been selling the digital players since they were
introduced.  I was an employee of Superscope Marantz when they
introduced the Pianocorder tape-played piano kits.  One great thing
about our old Ampicos and Duo-Arts is that the 'software' is not out
of date, so to speak.  Try to buy a music tape for the Marantz system
or a floppy diskette for the more "modern" Yamaha or PianoDisc systems.
Those systems, just like the computer, will be outdated before you
know it.

Is anyone still running Windows 95?  Yamaha has been pretty good
with parts but they are now out of some parts for the Disklaviers
made ten years ago.  You can send them burned out power supplies for
rebuilding but for how much longer I do not know.

As far as value of the old reproducing pianos then you might notice
that the entire piano business is down from several years ago.  The
good news, or not so good news, is there are still buyers for the
Mason and Hamlins and Steinways without the player systems.  An art
case Mason Hamlin Ampico B was recently gutted for restoration of the
just the piano.  It is for sale without player for $75,000.  Restored
Mason & Hamlins without the player are still selling for $20,000 and
up.  The average price for a Model A 5'8" piano restored seems to be
about $30,000.  Put a player system back into it and what is its value?

The above is just opinion.

Don Teach - Shreveport Music Co.
Shreveport, Louisiana