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Hi,

I'm considering a piano purchase and, until now, never really considered a player system. I am actively learning to play the piano and hadn't really considered a player system until I ran across a piano with one for sale - which raised a few questions for me (forgive if they are n00by questions)

Does a player system require more frequent maintenance / repair over a piano's lifetime? I can't help but imagine it would.

Can a player system install cause the piano to play differently than it normally would (ie stiffer/looser action, sound differently, etc?)

I guess I'm just looking to discover any drawbacks or considerations to owning a piano with a player system prior to potentially owning a piano with one.

TIA to all for your input!

Are you considering an upright or a grand?

Oh, I should have said that. I am considering a grand piano.

Player systems do not last as long as the piano. We have all seen countless player pianos where the player does not work. There are few people who can repair them, and parts availability may be difficult.

In order to get the best response from a player, the piano, particularly the action, needs to be maintained meticulously.

You should consider how you will use it. If you want it for background music at parties, you will probably be better off hiring a pianist for the occasion. They respond better to the situation, and you can do it quite a few times for the cost of a player system.

In addition to BDB's points, regular use of a player system will prematurely wear out your piano: particularly its hammers, strings, felt, and action parts. This isn't a reason to not get a player... just something to be mindful of if you get one.

You've heard the negatives to owning and maintaining a modern solenoid player system, now let me tell you the positives.

The modern player system is very robust. Installed properly, they usually last quite awhile. It is true that the action will get more wear IF you play the system for hours every day....however, a piano is meant to be played, so along with that playing comes the commensurate maintenance and repair. I would venture to say it would the same wear and tear as a professional pianist would do in daily practice, all things being equal.

There is just no substitute to having the likes of Rachmaninoff, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Lhevine, to name just a few, playing on your piano any time you like. There are also many fine modern pianists that have recorded for the player piano. I will never be able to play the piano like the pros, so for me, having them play my piano is worth the cost.

I must say though....you need a high-resolution player system to really enjoy a quality playback. Yamaha makes a fine system, but just for their pianos. The best high-resolution retrofit system right now for any piano, is the "LX" from Wayne Stahnke. www.live-performance.com Also, the LX system does not alter the action in any way...the live pianist will not know there is a player system in there. www.zenph.com just released their Oscar Peterson for the LX!

I have had player pianos for the last 30+ years, and the "LX" system since 2007. I have not regretted once, the cost of maintaining the action, hammers etc. The joy I have received from the LX system far outweighs any of the negatives mentioned above.

Grandpianoman, had some questions and tried to send you a PM, but it said you were over your private topic limit.

Hi RBstewart,

Thanks for the heads-up....have cleared some topics. Please write again.