Q.  Why Do Players Stop Playing ?

A. Barring a major hose break or in the case of a motor failure on an electrically operated pump, what seems like a catastrophic event has most likely been a series of small leaks developing over time. When a player is new the main pump has sufficient vacuum to handle all the needs of the action with some reserve. As components age, seals begin to leak, materials become dry and develop cracks. Leaks are cumulative. The smallest of leaks here and there add up. Three or four relatively small leaks can make a player difficult to play and perhaps render it totally inoperable.

Q. Will it ever play again?

A. To answer this one we have to assume the piano itself is in reasonable condition and we turn our attention to the player mechanism. Some manually operated “pedal pumped” pianos can be made to play again by adding and electric vacuum pump but before long it will most likely quit playing again. The aged materials continue to decay and even the power of an electric pump cannot keep up with the leaks. Ultimately all the leaks must be fixed to render the piano useful usually requiring a complete rebuild of the player mechanism.   The project should include replacement of original pneumatic coverings and hinge materials, rework of the valve system, replacement of hoses and the repair of any worn or broken mechanical parts.
The bulk of the cost is labor and commercially can run anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 or more depending on the complexity of the player mechanism.

Q.  What is my player worth?

A.  There is no definitive answer to this question. There are however some guidelines to follow to understand the potential value. While certain rare makes and models sought after by collectors will command a premium, a player’s value is mainly determined by the overall condition of the piano itself. The finish of the case and the condition of the piano action, miscellaneous other parts, and the condition of the inside all affect the value. Many inoperative players can acquire for free simply by picking them up. It will cost about $200 to have it moved across town, extra for stairs, extra for more miles or difficult moving situations. A potential buyer will calculate this into the cost. Your best choice is to have and experienced piano technician conduct a formal appraisal.