What are pianola rolls worth?
What are they worth today?” There is some fairly hot demand for the few big artists such as James P. Johnson ($8), Pete Wendling ($5), Rags ($6), Blues ($3) and most other rolls are worth maybe $2 or $3. A good place to sell them is the local auction house.
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Are pianola rolls still made?
The last manufacturer of pianola music rolls in Australia closed in 2005, but the rolls are still made in the USA.

Can a pianola be played like a piano?
A player piano can of course be played by hand in the normal way, as the piano action and keyboard are entirely conventional. In fact, it is usually possible to play the keyboard while the roll mechanism is in operation, should any additional notes or harmonies be desired!
What’s the difference between piano and pianola?
A pianola is the same as any other piano except it is fitted with a pneumatic player action, which plays paper rolls. This mechanism consists of about one hundred bellows, large and small, the smaller ones being called pneumatics of which there are 88, one for each note on the piano.
Are old player pianos worth anything?
The Average Value of a regular, unrestored Upright Player Piano varies from about $200-$2000, depending on the type/quality of the cabinet and the reputation of the manufacture. Non-name brand units with all straight lines are the most common and the least valuable.

How does a pianola work?
A player piano (also known as a pianola) is a self-playing piano, containing a pneumatic or electro-mechanical mechanism, that operates the piano action via programmed music recorded on perforated paper or metallic rolls, with more modern implementations using MIDI.
What are pianola rolls made of?
What is a Piano Roll? A piano roll is a roll of paper perforated (punched) with holes that operates a player piano (pianola). The location, position, and length of the perforations determines what note of the piano is activated and how long for. Combined, the perforations produce a performance of a piece of music.
Do all player pianos use the same Rolls?
Are all piano rolls the same? No, there are many different types. Some will play on any player piano, others are designed to play on special types of pianos. Standard player piano rolls, such as those made by the QRS company, play all 88 of the piano notes and operate the sustain (loud) pedal.
What is a piano called that plays itself?
Pianolas
What is a Self-Playing Piano? Also known as player pianos or Pianolas, older style self-playing pianos uses a pneumatic or electro-mechanical mechanism to play pre-programmed music on your piano using perforated paper or metallic rolls.
How much did a piano cost in 1900?
$1,400
Each price reflects a Steinway & Sons in the standard Ebony Satin Finish.
D | L | |
---|---|---|
1900 | $1,400 | |
1905 | $1,600 | (O) $750 |
1910 | $1,600 | |
1915 | $1,600 | $800 |
How heavy is a pianola?
Pianolas and Ex-Players are larger than Uprights and usually weigh over 300kg.
How many keys does a pianola have?
How many keys does a piano have? The standard modern piano has 88 keys and has a compass of seven full octaves plus a few keys.
How much is a 30 year old upright piano worth?
Upright Player Pianos | |
---|---|
Years old | Retail |
Over 40 30-40 20-30 10-20 | $500-$1500+ $1000-$2000+ $3000-$8000+ $4000-$10000+ |
Value greatly depends on condition and the make of the piano. |
Are 100 year old pianos worth anything?
Antique pianos are pianos that’re at least a hundred years old, and, like antique books, they’re not worth a lot of money just because of their age. In actuality, these old instruments may be worth very little at all, depending on their brand and condition.
Are player pianos worth anything?
When did they stop making Pianolas?
1930s
Production of Pianola Pianos more or less ceased by the early 1930s, and Aeolian cast around for other business, even trying its hand at the manufacture of motor boats.
How do pianola rolls work?
A person places a roll inside the instrument and sits on a bench to operate pedals, which pump air to power the interior pneumatics. As the roll unfurls, air passes through tiny, carefully placed holes in the paper to activate individual notes on the piano.
How much does it cost to have a player piano tuned?
$65 to $225
Regular piano tuning is a necessary service for anyone who wants to keep and use a piano for any length of time. It’s part of the cost of ownership. The average price to tune a piano ranges from $65 to $225, and the cost can increase by several hundred dollars if the piano requires multiple tuning sessions or repairs.
What is the best sounding piano?
What is the Best Sounding Digital Piano?
Model | Features |
---|---|
Yamaha YDP-144 | GHS action, CFX Grand Piano Voice |
Yamaha P-515 | Natural Wood X Key Action |
Casio PX-870 | Redesigned Cabinet, Speaker System |
Yamaha YDP-164 | GH3 action, CFX Grand Piano Voice |
How much does a piano that plays itself cost?
Lin is demonstrating the Spirio, Steinway’s newest and first self-playing piano. When you buy a Spirio—not you, necessarily; they run upwards of $110,000—it comes with an iPad loaded with a Spotify-like app.
Can my floor support a grand piano?
Each leg or a grand is 200 pounds, more or less. If the floor is at least 1 inch boards (most floors, even in old houses, are two layers, each 3/4 inch to an inch), and the joists are not more than 16 to 20 inches apart, it should be OK (assuming the boards aren’t rotted!).
How much does tuning a piano cost?
The average price to tune a piano ranges from $65 to $225, and the cost can increase by several hundred dollars if the piano requires multiple tuning sessions or repairs. Piano tuning is a skill that only experienced professionals should do.
How long does it take to learn to play piano?
If you want to be a professional classical performer, you’re looking at a minimum of 10 to 15 years of concentrated study with a master teacher, and hours of practice every day. Most people who want to learn piano to play for their own enjoyment can get great results within three to five years of study and practice.
Do pianists look at the keys?
Do pianists look at the keys while they play? The short answer to that last question is: YES! It’s perfectly acceptable and normal for a pianist to look at their hands while they play. An important part of the design of any musical instrument is the necessary range of movement for the player in order to produce sound.
Can a piano be too old to tune?
Yes, this isn’t uncommon. An older piano just won’t be capable of being tuned right up to concert pitch, but can frequently be tuned so that it’s in tune with itself. You could get the piano overhauled but it’s probably more effort than it’s worth.