At age 43 I thought I was the youngster in MMD -- I still feel like
one.  I agree that this is pretty much an "old dudes' hobby" and is
dominated by those with deep pockets.  I never paid more than a few
hundred dollars for any of my Players (I've had maybe a half dozen)
until I got my first reproducing upright (Stroud Duo-Art) I had three
foot-pumped players in the garage at the time and a wife who thought
I was nuts.

During the boom, my employer was handing out some fairly significant
bonuses.  I took the last such bonus, and bought my Steinway OR on
eBay.  I'm not sure if I paid too much, but I've never regretted buying
it.  The Stroud is in a friend's living room and these two pianos are
the only instruments I own.  I'd like to get one more so that all three
of my sons may have one for their homes someday.  I think it will be
some time before that happens though.  I'd probably consider getting
one that needs restoration and share the experience with one or more
of the boys.

I think working thorough a rebuilding or restoration is _crucial_ to
developing an appreciation of these instruments.  It appears to me
that most of the younger collectors out there have had to do their own
rebuilding because of cost.  (I know I did!)  I think that makes those
of us in the new generation more appreciative of the machines on a
technical and historical level rather than as investments or status
symbols.

Ed Chaban