Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > October 2010 > 2010.10.09 > 07Prev  Next


Player Pianos Far From Dead
By Andy Taylor

Even though most major roll makers are out of production, I think the
player piano market is far from being dead.

Case in point.  I recently remarried into a family, and now have three
teenage sons.  They were fascinated with my solenoid piano.  Then I
told them, "Now let's see a real player piano."  I ushered them into my
shop where stands a Baldwin-built Monarch.  Even though this piano does
not play yet, they were asking, "what does this do?" referring to the
roll motor.  The point is, they were twice as fascinated with the old
pneumatic pedal pumper, even though it didn't work!

Craig Brougher said it years ago: the charm of pneumatic players has
stood the test of time.  Now, I have to rebuild the Baldwin, because
the boys can't wait to hear it play.  We intend to make it a family
project.  I suspect that at least one of them has been bitten by the
player piano bug, but good!

Eventually rolls may get a little scarce for player pianos, as the
originals are crumbling.  I suspect that eventually most roll
production will be left to hobbyists, whose skill and determination
have built some of the best perforators in existence.  Converting
pianos to MIDI operation has its advantages, but a moving roll and its
lyrics have a charm that will never be equaled.

Dead?  Not in my lifetime!  One good thing about a depressed market is
that people of meager means can now purchase a machine that was
previously beyond their reach.  I always wanted a Duo-Art, but never
could afford one.  I picked up a fine old Weber last year for
practically nothing.

Andy Taylor


(Message sent Fri 8 Oct 2010, 22:02:35 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Dead, Far, Pianos, Player

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page