Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > April 1995 > 1995.04.19 > 03Prev  Next


Re: Player Pianos
By Terry Smythe

Musselj@cadvision.com,

M >>In my own situation, I've accumulated 29 instruments over the
M >>past 26 years (including 11 repro grands, 2 repro uprights, 2
M >>nickelodeons, 1 circus band organ, 1 player reed organ, an
M >>upright Steinway 65/88 pumper, and a large 28" Kalliope upright
M >>disk music box, etc.). For about 10-15 of those early years,
M >
M >Out of curiosity, where do you find all these instruments? I've been
M >looking
M >for a small band organ or a Steinway repro in need or serious repair for
M >years and have never even encountered a single example. I must not be
M >reading the right magazines or something... <g>

I'm a compulsive collector, and have been at it since 1968, some 27 years now. I've made the mistake of hanging on to most everything that came my way, instead of *horse* *trading* my way up into something really outstanding. Oh well..........

M >Since you probably know what the market is like, do you M >have any idea what a 5 foot 4 Knabe/Ampico B which is M >entirely original (the mechanism is not functioning M >and hasn't for at least 15 years) right down to the cover M >underneath would be worth? The whole thing needs a rebuild M >as the action is worn out and the board is cracked so it's a M >MAJOR restoration.

Sounds like a good candidate for complete restoration within the host piano. Often lesser brand "B"s are bought for the sole purpose of gutting them, and installing the mechanism into a former (gutted) high quality reproducing grand such as a 6'+ Mason & Hamlin art case piano.

Do whatever you have to do to make sure that piano does not fall into the hands of a dealer inclined to gut and destroy the mechanism. Suggest you keep close tabs on that instrument to ensure it does not suffer this fate.

A current AMICA Bulletin listed a comparable 1936 Chickering 5' 4" Ampico B, complete and unrestored, in the Boston area priced at $6,000 ($US). A fully restored 1940 Knabe 5' 4" Queen Anne art case Ampico B in the same issue was priced at $24,000 ($US) in the New York City area.

Regards,

Terry


Terry Smythe               Sounds of Yesteryear
55 Rowand Avenue  Restoration and enjoyment of vintage
Winnipeg, Manitoba  automatic musical instruments.
Canada R3J 2N6 
204) 832-3982  email: smythe@mbnet.mb.ca


___
* UniQWK #5002* Positive anything is better than negative nothing.

(Message sent Wed 19 Apr 1995, 16:52:04 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Pianos, Player

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page