How old is my instrument?
Pianos: The Pierce Piano Atlas includes serial
number and age information for thousands of piano brands. Most piano technicians
have a copy, and will provide the information if you have your piano tuned or
appraised. You may buy your own copy through the web site
http://www.pianoatlas.com. That
site will also provide information for one piano, for a small fee.
Reed Organs (pump organs):For information
on reed organs, visit the web site of the Reed Organ Society at:
http://www.reedsoc.org
Player pianos and reproducing pianos: Dates
for ordinary home player pianos and reproducing pianos are generally the same
as for regular pianos of the same brand name. They are included in the Pierce
Piano Atlas, described above.
Coin pianos and orchestrions:
Link coin-operated instruments contain pianos
made by the Haddorff Piano Co. of Rockford, Illinois. Although Link used
its own serial numbers on the pinblocks, the Haddorff number is sometimes
found on the back or under the pump mounting board. Haddorff pianos are
listed in the present web site under
Mechanical Music Items / Historical Topics / Seeburg/Western Electric.
Mills Violano-Virtuosos often have a date written
in pencil on one of the finger upstop bars inside the finger head, or in
chalk on the bottom of the violin shelf. When restoring a Mills Violano-Virtuoso,
be careful to preserve these numbers for a future owner who might be interested
in them.
Seeburg coin pianos and orchestrions are listed
in the present web site under
Mechanical Music Items / Historical Topics / Seeburg/Western Electric.
Wurlitzer coin pianos and orchestrions made
by in the United States follow the same numbering series as regular Wurlitzer
pianos, and are listed in the Pierce Piano Atlas. (See
www.pianoatlas.com).
Wurlitzer PianOrchestras and Paganinis made
partly or completely by J.D. Philipps and Sons in Germany are listed in
the present web site under
Mechanical Music Items / Historical Topics / Philipps/Wurlitzer.
Miscellaneous American instruments:
Operators (Coinola and Reproduco), Marquette (Cremona), Nelson-Wiggen,
and smaller companies are not documented. Although a few numbers appear
in the Pierce Piano Atlas, they are neither comprehensive nor accurate.
Miscellaneous European instruments:
Hupfeld, Philipps, Weber and other European instruments contain
pianos made by several manufacturers. If you can determine which company
made the piano (Feurich, Forster, Lipp, Rφnisch, etc.), look for a date
in the Piano Atlas. (In Europe, another reference is the Europe
Piano Atlas, Verlag Erwin Bochinsky, Frankfurt am Main. Ask a local
piano technician for its availability in your country.)
What is my instrument worth?
Pianos: That depends on the condition, the
current market in your part of the country, and to some extent, the brand name.
Even if you tell me the brand name and serial number, I cant provide an appraisal
of your piano without examining it and comparing it to other pianos for sale
in your area. Major repairs are costly, and old pianos dont necessarily have
any "antique value" just because of their age. For two examples, an unrestored
1890 Steinway grand piano is generally worth less than a newer Steinway in good
condition, and a high quality Mason & Hamlin upright that is falling apart after
being stored in a leaky shed is worth less than a relatively low-cost Wurlitzer
or Kimball console piano in pristine condition.
Three Ways to Learn More about the Value of a Piano
- Ask two or three professional musicians---school music educators, piano
teachers, or symphony players---for their recommendations for expert piano
technicians. Then hire two or three highly-recommended technicians to do
appraisals. The replacement value, or what you would have to pay to find
a similar piano in similar condition from a piano dealer, is usually higher
than the sale value, or the price you might expect to get if you sell it
yourself out of your home.
- Visit as many music stores in your vicinity as possible to learn what
prices are being asked for similar pianos. Again, expect to get less for
your piano than the retail price at which the piano is offered by a music
store, because the store has to add a markup to cover many overhead expenses,
and to pay for visibility that you dont have as a private individual.
- Watch the prices obtained for similar-looking pianos sold online at
auctions such as eBay. These results often do not indicate local value,
because something as large and heavy as a piano sometimes is easier to sell
in a face-to-face transaction, at least in a larger city, than it is over
the Internet.
Player Pianos and Reproducing Pianos: As
with ordinary pianos described above, it is impossible to provide an appraisal
without seeing the instrument in person. Very few music stores buy and sell
old player pianos and even fewer handle reproducing pianos. The best way to
learn about values in the United States is to become a member of AMICA, listed
in this web site under
Technical & Resources / Links to Resources / Clubs and Organizations. The
AMICA Bulletin contains articles about these fascinating instruments, the companies
that made them, the artists who made the rolls, current-day collectors, and
advertising for instruments wanted and for sale. At local chapter meetings and
national conventions, you may ask experienced people about current market values.
Similar organizations in other countries offer similar benefits. These are also
listed under the "Clubs and Organizations" link. The Internet forum Mechanical
Music Digest also occasionally includes listings and prices for transactions.
Music Boxes: For more information, join the
Musical Box Society International and other groups listed in the present web
site under
Technical & Resources / Links to Resources / Clubs and Organizations. Their
publications provide comprehensive information on many types of instruments,
and through chapter meetings and national conventions you will meet others who
share your interests.
Coin Pianos, Orchestrions, Band Organs: As
with music boxes and player pianos, the best way to learn about values is to
become a member of the Musical Box Society International, AMICA, or the other
groups listed in this web site under
Technical & Resources / Links to Resources / Clubs and Organizations. The
Internet forum Mechanical Music Digest also occasionally includes listings and
prices for transactions.
Where can I find someone to fix my instrument?
See
Technical & Resources / Links to Resources / Restoration Services in this
web site. Other automatic musical instrument-related sites include further information.
Other Questions
I have a technical question about tuning or repairing an automatic
musical instrument. Can you help me with this?
Because of the large volume of email, regular mail, and
phone calls, I am no longer able to answer technical or historical questions
via e-mail. You may find the answers to many questions by exploring the
sites in our "Mechanical Music Links & Resources" page. The best ways to
expand your knowledge include reading books on the subject, and joining
one or more of the clubs and organizations listed in the links page.
