Vintage Player Pianos

Get the Tunes Rolling With a Vintage Player Piano

Player pianos offer you a unique way to listen to music in your home. Many are gorgeous pieces of furniture that are sure to spark conversations. Browse eBay for an affordable collection of player pianos for sale.

What are some different types of player pianos?

There are many different types of player pianos, so it is important to consider how you want to enjoy the music. Options include:

• Split-stack control: These pianos have the pneumatic player mechanism split into two halves. You can lower the volume on either half.
• Theme control: These pianos take special music rolls allowing them to automatically play some notes forte while subduing others.
• Isolated theme: These pianos can recognize the melody and play it a little forte.
• Reproducing pianos: These player pianos have special equipment allowing them to sound like you were at a live performance.
• Expression pianos: These options take a special music roll that reads the coding on the roll to produce dynamic sounds.

Who were some makers of vintage player pianos?

Over 1,200 models of player pianos were created around the world. Some of the major manufacturers include:

• Aeolian, Weber Piano and Pianola Company: This New York-based company produced many different styles of player pianos with most having standard action and controls just under the front of the keyboard. It also became one of the first companies to introduce a reproducing player piano. You may be able to find many of the company's Steck Pianola Pianos, in Europe.
• M. Welte & Sons: Marketing many of their player pianos under the Apollo brand, this company specialized in making early reproducing player pianos.
• Autopiano Company: This company produced pianos under the Autopiano, Pianista, and Symphotone brand names. While creating player pianos at many price points, they are known for their luxurious player pianos.
• Baldwin: Manualo and Modello are two pianos created by the Baldwin Company that many collectors look for when searching for modestly-priced pianos. The company's lineup included several brands including Acrosonic, Ellington, Hamilton, Howard, Valley Gem, Monarch, and St. Regis.
• Gulbransen-Dickinson Company: This Chicago-based company was continually making player pianos easier for people to play.

Player piano serial numbers

Most instruments have serial numbers inside of them as they can help you get parts. It can also help you determine the player piano's age. This can be especially important if you are looking for player pianos for sale of a particular age. Different manufacturers put the serial number on vintage and antique in unique locations including:

• Aeolian: Traditionally, Aeolian pianos have the serial number stamped on the back of the piano.
• Autophone: The serial number is located next to the tuning pegs in most models.
• Baldwin: The number is usually found on a brass plate located between the tenor and bass strings.
• Kimball: Look for the serial number to be stamped at the back edge of the keypad
• Gulbransen-Dickinson Company: This company put some serial numbers on the frame and some on the soundboard.