In a message dated 96-03-10 20:13:13 EST, you write:

> I have the opportunity to buy a Wurlitzer Style C Orchestrion from
> a local Antique Shop. Fortunately, the case seems to be in relatively
> good shape, except for being painted. Unfortunately, all of the mechanical
> parts are missing. It was being used as a straight piano, I guess.
> Are there parts available for such beasties and at what cost?:)
> Would it be worthwhile to put in a different system? I'm certain that
> it would affect it's resale value, and might be considered heresy. Is
> there any resale value for an empty cabinet refinished?

Mike, there are really only three choices with this instrument. The parts
could be sought out and the instrument restored to original. This would be
the most desireable but it could take quite a while and cost quite a bit to
find or make all the original type components. You would have preserved a
valid piece of history and the machine would have considerable value. This
may not be feasible, however. A second alternative would be to build up an
orchestrion using the piano and case as a starting point. I recently saw and
heard a very nice built up owned by Charlie Sebastian which was done the same
way using a Seeburg case. This would make a better than average built up but
the value would be only about 3-4000 dollars. Finally, of course, you could
just have a piano in a fancy case. The cost of an authentic restoration would
depend mostly on your success in locating the original type parts. If you are
an MBSI or AMICA member you will have the best chance of finding these parts.
If it were me, I would go ahead and get the piano (at a reasonable price) and
then start looking for the missing pieces.

Good luck,

Bob Conant