Player pianos are best described as self-playing pianos and are known as pianolas as well. The pianolist accomplishes vibrant shading of the music by merely varying the degree of density applied to the foot pedals.
There are many different reasons why you should invest in a player piano for your family, of which the following 10 include some of the most important reasons:
1. You do not have to entertain your family and guests the entire day by playing a piano by yourself.
2. It is not as expensive as most people think it is.
3. Player pianos do not require much maintenance. Therefore, you would not be spending a lot of money making sure that your player piano is always working at its best.
4. Almost all piano dealers carry pianolas. It would not be difficult to find one that suits your taste and even home interior.
5. There are wide varieties of notes and harmonies that can be found in a player piano.
6. You do not have to buy an acoustic piano to play one. You can always play your own music on the pianola.
7. You have a greater choice of appealing old finishes and styles.
8. More often than not, the sellers or piano dealers have refurbished the unit to ensure that it looks and sounds good.
9. Typically, you can purchase one through a payment plan that includes monthly instalments.
10. It can be a family heirloom.
Before you shop for a player piano, you should know that most of the units that you find in a piano store are used pianolas. Therefore, it is imperative that you conduct proper research with reference to the player piano before you decide to buy one. The following valuable tips may help you to purchase one that does not need regular maintenance:
Ask the Right Questions
You need to make sure that the condition of the player piano is good, because its value is entirely based on its form. Asking the piano dealer the right questions can save you tons of money.
When is the last time that the player piano has been played?
If the seller says he does not have any idea, then the best option is not to purchase the pianola. I-do-not-care or I-do-not-know answers are generally a bad sign. If he answers that the player piano was played over 15 years ago, then there is a possibility that the instrument can set you back about $5,000 or even more.
What is the history of the player piano?
You need to know the history behind the player piano, so that you have an idea of its working condition. Pay close attention to what the seller is telling you, and make sure you take notes. You can refer to your notes when you appoint a RPT to assess the pianola.
My advice would be to take your time when shopping for a pianola. Avoid making hasty decisions, as a player piano is a huge investment.