Re: Old player pianos and the younger generation

I cannot subscribe to all this doom and gloom attitude.  Yes, the value
of old players has bottomed.  Non-working, unrestored ones are now of-
ten considered a liability rather than an asset.  And yes, the younger
generation has many other forms of entertainment to keep itself occu-
pied.  But I too, have had only positive experiences when I have taken
pianolas out on the road or to festivals.  There are still plenty of
instruments here in the UK that folks want restored.

Nigel Perry mentioned his centenarian friend. I recently visited a
ninety-four year old who is having a bit of trouble pedaling!  A
thorough servicing brought his pianola back to a good, airtight con-
dition, so that he and his grandchildren can continue to enjoy his
substantial roll collection.

I have restored many instruments for clients who have youngsters, and
all of them like to exercise themselves on the pedals, some as a diver-
sion from piano lessons.  I also have two institutions currently wait-
ing for a donated pianola: an ex-serviceman's home for recuperating
pensioners, and a youth hostel in the centre of England. Both organisa-
tions have expressed a keen interest in having a pedal instrument.
What better way to preserve and inspire interest among future genera-
tions than to have a pianola in every youth hostel!

Low-tech they may be, but I believe that they will outlast the plethora
of electronic gadgets that abound today.  My local dump is full of dis-
carded computers and keyboards, all in the name of upgrade and "prog-
ress".  But what happens when the coal and the oil and the uranium all
run out?  No more cheap electricity.  And whatever alternatives our
scientists manage to thrust upon us -- nuclear fusion with sea water
perhaps -- there is one unalterable law of physics: you cannot get more
energy out than you put in.

So the lack of raw materials will eventually cause a shift in the
development and construction of many luxuries, especially electronic
devices.  What do we need for players?  Trees and animals.  And perhaps
Art Reblitz's book!

Will players still be around in 300 years?  I wish I could be here to
find out!

Roger Waring
The Pianola Workshop
Solihull
West Midlands, UK
www.pianola.co.uk