Bluthner upright pianola (1911-1915) had pianola mechanism removed and was converted to a piano and restored some 3-5 years ago.
Is such piano as good as an original upright Bluthner from the same period?
BUTHNER PIANOLA CONVERTED TO PIANO
Moderators: Feg, Gill the Piano, Melodytune
Usually they're not quite as good. Depends what system the player-piano operated on.
If the keyboard length was extended to accommodate the player stack, (identifiable by a deeper than usual case) then the geometry of the keyboard and action will have been compromised, so it won't play as well as the non-player version.
The one thing that *will* have been compromised is the value. Converted players regardless of the maker, are virtually worthless and not worth the cost of restoration. Whoever converted it was severely misguided.
If you are offered one, especially one with a deep, bloated case, the vendor will have a hard time flogging it, so pay peanuts.
If the keyboard length was extended to accommodate the player stack, (identifiable by a deeper than usual case) then the geometry of the keyboard and action will have been compromised, so it won't play as well as the non-player version.
The one thing that *will* have been compromised is the value. Converted players regardless of the maker, are virtually worthless and not worth the cost of restoration. Whoever converted it was severely misguided.
If you are offered one, especially one with a deep, bloated case, the vendor will have a hard time flogging it, so pay peanuts.