Orderly, easy to read format in the reports offered below. The result of their combined effort is presented in an Many collectors, enthusiasts, and restorers have submitted information toĪrt for many years. The decades went by and the database grew, he learned to watch for andĭocument even the most minor cosmetic and mechanical changes in each Seeburg piano-first at Svoboda’s, and then in his own tuning and restorationīusiness-he observed and took note of historical and mechanical details. Whenever Art had the opportunity to study, service, tune, or rebuild a In four years, Art became very familiar with the Seeburg line. To find today because most instruments have been through at least one Thickness, regulation specifications, and other details that are difficult Original dimensions of pneumatic cloth, valve travel, pouch dish, gasket Opportunity to observe what materials were used originally, and to see the Numerous Chicago-made Seeburg coin pianos and orchestrions in theĬollection, many of which were still in original condition, offering the Tom Sprague, each of whom already worked there for years. Skills from the late Dave Ramey Sr., and piano regulation and repair from Many instruments at Svoboda’s Nickelodeon Tavern, learning basic rebuilding Being involved in music all his life, heĪlso learned to tune pianos while in high school.Ī few years later, while attending college, Art was hired by Al Svoboda,Īnd was given the opportunity to service and help with the restoration of The various coin operated pianos, orchestrions, and organs that filled rooms When he was in high school, living in a Chicago suburb, heĭiscovered and then regularly visited the famous Svoboda’s Nickelodeon Seeburg Piano Companyīegan when he was a young boy and heard a KT Special orchestrion in anĪmusement arcade. Was collected over many years by Art Reblitz, an avid collector, historian,Īrt’s intense interest in the history of the J.P. The primary information that went into building up the Seeburg database TheĬabinets and piano assemblies, and most of the pneumatic stacks, were madeīy Seeburg with pumps, roll mechanisms, extra instruments, controls, andĬoin mechanisms of different design resembling the earlier Cremona parts. In late 1926, Western Electric, which had been inĪ different location in Chicago, moved into the Seeburg factory. Rival Western Electric brand was offered to new distributors in the sameĪreas to stimulate sales. Seeburg had already established exclusiveĭealership territories for its products all over the United States, and the The Western Electric Piano Company, as a secret subsidiary of the SeeburgĬompany. In 1924, a group of current Seeburg and former Marquette officials formed One of the major manufacturers of coin-operated phonographs. Over the years, Seeburg produced many styles ofĬoin pianos, orchestrions, photoplayers, and mortuary organs, until theĮlectronic amplifier caused their demise, and the company went on to became Inġ920, Seeburg began manufacturing its own pianos, and used them exclusivelyįrom late 1921 through 1928. in 1922 (for details, see the Nelson-Wiggen Piano Company Registry page).įrom 1909 to 1921, Seeburg bought pianos from other piano manufacturersĪnd installed the player mechanisms, art glass, electrical parts, etc. After working for other businesses, theyįounded the Nelson-Wiggen Piano Co. Oscar Nelson and Peder Wiggen, two of Seeburg’s keyĮmployees, designed and patented almost all Seeburg player mechanisms before With new and different mechanisms, cabinet styles, and the Seeburg name, for In 1909, Seeburg left Marquette and began building Seeburg coin pianos inġ907, which distributed Marquette’s entire production of Cremona coin pianosĪnd operated them in locations in Chicago. After developing theĬremona A roll piano at Marquette, he formed the J.P. Marquette Piano Company (for details, see the Marquette Piano Company Registry page). In 1905, he returned to Chicago from Rockford and co-founded the Then as manager of the Conover piano manufacturing facility of the ChicagoĬottage Organ Company (which became the Cable Piano Company), and then as aĬo-founder of the Kurtz-Seeburg Action Company in Rockford, Illinois in Smith (which later became Smith, Barnes & Strohber), then Bush & Gerts, Next 18 years working in the piano industry in the Chicago area, first forĬ.A. Seeburg immigrated to America from Sweden in 1887. Seeburg products are theįavorite of many collectors, thanks to their excellent musical performance,īeautiful cabinets and art glass, and mechanical durability. fromġ909 through 1928, second only to the giant Wurlitzer company in the 1910s,Īnd then dominating the industry in the 1920s. Largest makers of coin-operated pianos and orchestrions in the U.S. Seeburg Piano Company of Chicago, Illinois, was one of the two Introduction to Seeburg and Western Electric Pianos