In restoring player pianos through the years (45 years and counting),
there's a question that invariably comes up from the customer: "What
is it worth?"

I feel pretty competent as a technician; however, when it comes to
appraising an instrument (before and after restoration), I feel like
I'm guessing more than anything else, which doesn't make me feel very
professional.  Most recently the question was asked from a customer
wanting to sell their 5'2" Estey/Welte grand piano.  My response?
"I'll do some investigating."

I would like to find out it's value, however.  More so, I'd like to
hear some ideas from you all regarding any "rule of thumb" you might
use to place a value on a player piano.  By the way, I realize there is
a huge difference between valuing a player piano for insurance purposes
verses a current value for sale.  Ideas, please?

Thanks,
Ken Marts
Portland, Oregon

 [ A recent article in the New York Times talks about this subject.  Don
 [ Teach cautions, "Don't read it, it will make you sick!"  -- Robbie
 [ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/arts/music/for-more-pianos-last-note-is-thud-in-the-dump.html