Mechanical Music - AUTOMATIC PIANOS & ORCHESTRIONS

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Mechantiques - Mechanical musical instruments bougth, sold & traded

AUTOMATIC PIANOS & ORCHESTRIONS

Book: “Mills Violano-Virtuoso” by Kitner & Reblitz. This wonderful, highly illustrated, long out of print paperback book is exceptionally scarce. This is the first we have had in years. It is 180 pages packed with a guide for restoration and maintenance and lots of historical data and photos. A “must have” (but impossible to find) for every owner of these, among the most interesting of all mechanical musical instruments. Very good condition. Normally we would sell this for $400, and we have a waiting list of several people who want a copy. However, instead, we are going to give it (yep, free) to the first person to purchase either LI-18 or CA-8A, to help the purchaser with the restoration process. So check out these two Violanos that we have in stock that need restoration, pick one out, and we’ll throw in this wonderful book.

LI-18 Mills Violano Virtuoso Needs Restoration. A mahogany Mills Violano Virtuoso needing full mechanical and cosmetic restoration. This one was missing the violin when we acquired it but we have purchased an original violin Mills violin that has been restored to go in it. We have also bought new weight arms, weights, rosin applicator mechanism, and a power supply (it has the original Mills converter) – so that should be most everything that is needed mechanically to restore this, other than little things like bow wheels. The case will need refinishing, the top of the case and the edge of the top will need reveneering, and the right side of the case may need reveneering because of a bunch of dings in the still complete and tight veneer. There is a gash in the lower right case column. It has 3 – 5 very rough rolls with it, you’ll need to get recuts. Coin box and cover for it are missing. Serial number 2352. $22,000.

AG-19 Twelve Recut Rolls for Wurlitzer Piano with Automatic Changer. Difficult to find recuts. $500 for the lot of twelve rolls. [HOLD - EK]

CA-8A Mills Violano Virtuouso - Needs Restoration Here's a neat opportunity if you are handy with these types of machines. This Violano was partially disassembled and the finish was stripped about twenty years ago, and it is still waiting to be refinished and reassembled! When we purchased it it appeared to be complete with the exception of the weight arms, weights, and bridge we have purchased new reproductions of all of these and they go with the Violano. In addition we have purchased a new power supply (the old original converters, of which the original is with this machine, are neat but they have a tendency to start the machines on fire! Best to put in a new power supply and just look at the converter.). Please see the photos of all the parts, and we have all the upper doors (I only unwrapped one). This is a late model with the serial number 3547 on the harp (3656 is stamped on the back, 3877 on the violin which always had a higher serial number because of the double violins that were made with individually numbered violins). With three recut rolls. $24,500 as is. $28,000 if we have it long enough to get it back together and playing (but not refinished)

ANC-128V Wurlitzer Pianino with Two Ranks of Pipes and Art Glass. This is one of the neatest instruments Wurlitzer ever made. The combination of relatively modest size, gorgeous case, rambunctious sound, and two full ranks of pipes - what a delight! This one has been restored, although I don't know by whom or when. The finish is gorgeous, the mechanism restoration looks first class including restringing, etc. Looks like one pipe in front has been replaced. A few chips out of the art glass. Serial number 19255. With seven rolls (the larger size). A rare opportunity to add a really neat coin piano to your collection. $20,000 [SOLD - AW]