This is rather the question between vintage and modern, since mechanical pianolas are no longer produced in series today. If you are looking for the old original, the magic of the sometimes over one hundred years old technology, the sounds, the smell and the quirks of the old machines - you will want to choose a used instrument.

If you want the latest, low-maintenance digital technology and the option of unlimited digital possibilities in the future, you should choose a modern system. Welte and Hupfeld, among others, would also have offered innovative electronic-mechanical or digital systems with today's possibilities - just as Steinway does today with Spirio, Yamaha with Disklavier, PianoDisc or other systems from other manufacturers. In fact, some of our customers have both systems in use. The best of both worlds.

There are still three main differences between used and new systems: The technical basis (see above), the available sheet music (roll) repertoire as well as the individuality and untouchedness of a new instrument.

The most important decision criterion should be the goal of the assignment and thus the repertoire, the music you want to listen to. Currently it is still the case that each system can only play its own repertoire. In the mid-term future we expect the possibility to play almost all music in good quality on all systems. However - also here there will be 'only one original'. The new systems currently do not yet have the comprehensive repertoire from the 1900s - 1930s to offer. Conversely, you will not get anything from Lang Lang on the old systems. A fundamental disadvantage of new purchases is - as almost everywhere - the immediate loss of value of ~30-40%. With used pianolas, however, the risk of a volatile niche market remains.

Even if pianolas - in the past more so - were only something for the rich, solutions can now be found for small amounts of money. High-quality and renovated systems still have their price, and rightly so.

In principle, we would always advise buying from a trustworthy source from a dealer or accompanied by a professional from a good private source. It is all the more important to look at the tips on these pages. If you take this into account, however, you can acquire a useful instrument for relatively little money.

In terms of sustainability or ecological value, the purchase of a used piano should also be considered.