Looking for an old Player piano on E-bay? Here are a few tips.

A Player Piano consists of two important things: a mechanical player and a piano. Please read the guides on pianos first.  All piano advice pertains also to players as well.  Remember, a Player Piano is only as good as it's piano!

Old Upright Pneumatic Players:

NEVER buy an old player piano unless you are sure the player components are present! Many uprights had the player components removed when they quit working.. Make sure that the photo shows the top and bottom doors open. The top will clearly show a brass bar running horizontally. This is called the "tracker bar".  With the top open, you can clearly see the pneumatic roll motor (usually on the left side).  If you can see only the piano hammers, the player unit has been removed, and the chances for finding a player action for it is almost futile. Do not be misled into thinking that it can be "converted". This is a difficult feat even for an experienced rebuilder. If you are only interested in buying an empty player to use as a straight piano, it might be a good deal.

The bottom will have a set of fold -down pumping pedals, or in rare cases - an electric motor with a leather belt. Make sure these are present in the bottom. If everything is covered with 60 years of dirt and dust, chances are good that all internal parts are intact.

Most old players no longer function.  If you are going to rebuild it, that's a good thing! Consider an untouched player worth MORE than one that has been restored.  Properly rebuilt players do turn up now and then, but if the "rebuilder" has used white glue instead of hot hide glue, that player will be much harder to rebuild again. If there is any question, have an expert check the piano and player mechanism before you buy, this is money well spent.

Use extreme caution if the auction reads something like this......"Partly rebuilt" or "does not work right" or " just needs a little work" There is a 90% chance you will have to undo these "repairs"!

Players need far more attention that just "patching the bellows". This is going to be a labour of love, not a profit making endeavour. You are looking at rebuilding the bellows, the strikers, pouches and valves, to say nothing of the work that must be done to the piano itself.  A 1920's player piano is so old that most of the perishable materials except for the case and strung back has reached the end of it's useful life.  But once properly done, the machine will give you a lifetime of enjoyment.

"Coin Pianos", Orchestrion,  Nickelodeons.

Now and then Coin Pianos appear on E-bay.  Most of these are converted old uprights with cheap plastic player actions that are very poorly designed.  90% of the time, they are refinished to look very handsome, but the old piano is worn and tired - needing major restoration. If these are presented as what they are, then that's ok. But they are NOT a genuine antique, and not always "restored".

 If you buy one of these, obtain a copy of what has been done to the piano! A reputable rebuilder will not hesitate to do so, and will be proud to show examples of his or her work.

"Restored" is a meaningless term,  because it means different things to different people.  If a piano is truly restored, it will have new Strings, Pins, Hammers & Perfect  Bridges.

The original coin pianos were made by J.P. Seeburg, Western-Electric, Coinola, Wurlitzer, Link and a few others.

For a wealth of information do a google search for "mechanical music digest"   There is a wealth of  player information in the archives.

Or contact me directly.

FosterPiano