Mechanical Musical Instruments For Sale & Restoration

At Roberts Musical Restorations, we specialize in the sale and restoration of self-playing mechanical musical instruments. We offer a wide selection of instruments for sale to collectors, enthusiasts, museums, and institutions worldwide. Each listing includes detailed information regarding originality, condition, functionality, and restoration status, allowing buyers to make informed decisions with confidence.

With over 30 years of hands-on experience in the mechanical music industry, Roberts Musical Restorations has earned a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, technical knowledge, and attention to detail. Our experience comes from decades of restoring, rebuilding, fabricating parts, and working directly with these historic instruments. Buyers often feel more confident working with us because we truly understand the mechanics, restoration quality, and functionality of these magnificent instruments. This expertise allows us to evaluate instruments accurately and present them honestly, not guesswork or sales claims.

Whenever feasible, instruments are personally inspected. When a personal inspection cannot be completed, we provide as much information as possible to help buyers make informed decisions. All listings remain completely private, with all questions and correspondence handled directly through Roberts Musical Restorations. We can also assist with shipping and setup when needed.

As a full-service restoration company, we perform every aspect of restoration in-house, including woodworking, cabinet restoration, stained glass, metalworking, machining, pneumatic rebuilding, and custom part fabrication. Unlike many restorers who outsource portions of their work, we maintain complete control over quality by handling every phase ourselves. This allows for greater consistency, faster turnaround time and the highest standards of workmanship.

We specialize in the restoration of player piano, orchestrion, nickelodeon, Mills Violano, band organ, calliope, and other mechanical musical instruments. Many historic instruments have undergone multiple restorations over the decades, often resulting in accumulated wear, improper adjustments, and mechanical settings that have drifted from their original specifications over time. In many cases, previous restorations may have focused on appearance and or material replacement without fully addressing the precise mechanical adjustments necessary for proper operation. Our extensive hands-on experience allows us to identify and correct these issues through meticulous testing, refinement, and careful adjustment, restoring each instrument as closely as possible to its proper mechanical and musical performance. Achieving this level of accuracy requires more than material replacement. It requires the experience and understanding necessary to accurately evaluate, test, and refine each instrument.

Roberts Musical Restorations is also recognized for integrating MIDI capabilities into historic instruments, allowing contemporary music playback while preserving the originality of the machine whenever possible.

We are also recognized as one of the leading restorers of Mills Violano’s in the world, with extensive hands-on experience restoring, regulating, and refining these remarkable instruments. We are especially known for making Violano’s truly sing.

Whether you are looking to purchase, sell, or restore an instrument, we welcome the opportunity to assist you.

“Don’t trust those who claim to be the best; trust those who prove to be the best.”

*References are gladly provided upon request.