This instrument would be of considerably more interest to a collector
if it had not had any work done to it at all and was still in non-work-
ing but all original condition. Once you start to make modifications to
the instrument in order to get it playing at any cost, you no longer have
an "original", but a "hybrid". So despite the fact that the person who
donated the instrument is probably looking for an appraisal of twice this
amount, I would appraise it at $2500 (American $'s), tops and that would
be stretching it. Why? Well to return the piano to like-new condition would
require that the piano mechanism be completely restored, including new
pins and strings, hammers and dampers, a complete action rebuild, etc. On
top of that, since the person who did the work on the player action 20-30
years ago obviously had no compunctions about modifying it in order to get
it to work, you can be sure that it will all have to be done over again.
Then, too, it will have to be refinished, and an original Seeburg bench
found for it (lots of luck!!). Lastly all the missing parts are going to
have to be custom-fabricated by a top-notch machinist. Total cost of un-
doing the damage already done to this piano by careless and indifferent
technicians and restoring it to like-new condition? $7500-$10,000 to have
it done RIGHT. And that's why, as it now stands you can't appraise it for
any more than $2500. Personally, speaking as someone who's been restoring
these things for over 30 years, I would probably pass on this one at ANY
price.

Les Smith¶
lessmith@buffnet.net