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 Registry / 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 Registry / 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, Rönisch, 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 can’t
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
don’t 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 don’t 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 FAQ's/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 FAQs/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.
