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Modern Aeolian Player Piano - Beginner's Questions
By John A. Tuttle

Hi All,  Although some are bound to have differing opinions, the
market for used modern Aeolian player pianos seems pretty good here
in New Jersey.  In the past year, I have serviced and tuned about
a dozen 'recently purchased' Aeolian players, mostly the Musette, the
Sting and the Sting II models.  In most cases, the units were still in
fairly good working order and the average purchase price was $1,200.

Since the company closed almost 20 years ago now, the availability of
spare parts continues to decline.  However, I recently found a small
manufacturer who makes the plastic block valves, which are the most
common single part in the player mechanism.  These parts, as well as
the original Service Manual, are now available at Player-Care, along
with an increasing number of articles about the modern Aeolian players.

While it will be at least another 70 years before the modern Aeolian
players become legitimate antiques, cost-wise they are a solid
alternative to either the cost of purchasing and restoring a circa
1920's player or the cost of purchasing a digital player, which
conservatively cost in excess of $8,000.

So, for those who are satisfied with a middle class player piano for
around $1,000-$1,500, the modern Aeolian players fill the bill.

Musically Opinionated,

John A. Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey, USA


(Message sent Fri 26 Mar 2004, 04:19:32 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Aeolian, Beginner's, Modern, Piano, Player, Questions

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