>  Subject: Introduction & Novice Player Piano questions-help!

>  I'm Rick Inzero from Rochester, NY.  I just found/joined the Mechanical
>  Music Digest this week while searching the WWW for player piano info.

>
>  *** Question #1a:  Assuming I get lucky, how much would a
>      functional-but-needing-attention player piano be worth (one that
>      somebody can put in a roll, pump it, and hear it make sounds)?
>
Rick,

You shouldn't have to settle for a junker player piano. I live in
Endicott, NY, which is about 140 miles from you and the going rate
around here is $200 - $400 for a decent piano in need of complete
restoration. You must expect that the player may not work or may not
work for long but the piano should be reasonably good. If the finish is
checked that is no problem. Normal wood refinishing should make it look
like new again. The keys may have some chips or cracks in the ivories
but they can be replaced. The piano itself should be reasonably
functional. The costs you noted for restoration of a piano and a player
are not far out of line but you want a good piano to start with and it
should be possible to find one. I suggest that you get the catalog from
Player Piano Company in Wichita, Kansas, as it will tell you what parts
are available. Ladder chain sprockets and brake disks are available for
many player mechanisms but not all. They also have many raw materials
for restoring the player such as bellows cloth, leather, glues
including hot hyde glue, tubing, elbows, etc. They also have valve and
pouch leathers, leather nuts and some specialized parts for the more
common brands of player. You can restore one yourself if armed with
some literature and some common sense and the proper tools and
materials. Player Piano Co also has some reprints of service documents
for some player pianos. Once you have one and have determined what
brand it is, you should get all the literature you can find on it.

You should also contact the Vestal Press in Vestal, NY. They publish
and sell several books that you will find useful for restoring a player
piano. I would particularly recommend Art Reblitz book, "Player Piano
Restoration" as the standard work on the subject. Your public library
may have a copy that you could check out ahead of time but you will
want your own copy.

>  *** Question #1b:  How much for a non-functional player and somewhat
>      gimpy piano (like the Thompson below)?

As before, don't settle for a junker. I wouldn't pay to move this one.

>
>  *** Question #2:  Do my worries about the piano sound justified?  I'm
>      thinking this would be an extrordinary restoration which I don't
>      want to get into.

Yes, get a good piano to start with, one that's been kept in someone's
home and kept dry and reasonably clean. Don't take one from a chicken
coop unless it is something very rare (like a Seeburg H).

>
>  *** Question #4: is it ok to store a piano in an unheated barn (thru
>      the winter, etc.), or is it completely ruined now?

Not a great idea but possible. The key is to keep it out of the water.
Pianos like the relative humidity to be about 45%. An unheated barn
will stay about that as long as the roof and floor do not leak. Keep it
high and dry, not on a dirt floor.

>
>
>  *** Question #5: are parts like this sprocket and disk easily available
>      (are there old player piano parts dealers, is this a common part?)

Yes if it is one of the more common brands. You need to know what kind
of player mechanism is in the piano before we can answer for sure.

> (Is this bad sprocket & disk
>      something insignificant or is it a "show stopping" problem?)

If the casting is crumbling, it is a show stopper unless you can
replace the parts. See above.

>
>  *** Question #6: Having looked at only these 2 pianos, is this as good
>      as it gets for average-joe used player pianos, or should I keep
>      looking for a player piano that will demonstratably play?
>
>  Any advice or answers to questions would be appreciated!!
>
>  ---
>  Rick Inzero
>  Northern Telecom, Inc.
>  Rochester, NY                                   rdi@cci.com
>

Keep looking, there are good ones out there. It should play as a piano,
not necessarily as a player. The average age of a typical upright foot
pumped player piano is about 72 years old. Most, if not all, will have
leaks in virtually every part of the player mechanism. Even if it was
rebuilt in the 1940's or 50's it may play but will need restoration
again by now. If you want one that is all restored, I know where there
are a couple available for a lot less than the restoration costs you
quoted. I also know where there are several unrestored pianos in this
area.

If you have not already heard of us, I suggest you consider joining the
Musical Box Society International. This is the organization that the
majority of mechanical music buffs belong to. I would also suggest that
you consider joining the East Coast Chapter of the MBSI as that is one
place where you will get to meet face to face many of the other people
in the area who are active in the hobby. I know of several people in
the Rochester area that you might want to look up. I can send you their
names if you are interested.

I would be happy to show you my German band organ if you are in the
area as you indicated an interest in band organs.

Hope these comments help.

Bob Conant¶
Chairman, East Coast Chapter, MBSI