Solenoid Players
By Tom Steuer
May I respectfully join in the solenoid fray? I own a Disklavier that is installed in a two-year old Yamaha 6'7" grand. It plays on and on, endlessly and effortlessly, without error, without need for repair, and without overheating. It has provided me, my family, and friends a great deal of joy. It plays whisper-soft and crashingly-loud. The dynamic range surpasses anything I have ever been able to do with Ampico, Duo-Art, or Welte systems, and I have been involved with player pianos of all types, particularly reproducing mechanisms, for 40 years.
Previously, I had a Pianocorder solenoid system, and it was at best nearly as good as the pneumatic reproducing systems, but after awhile, the Pianocorder system needed considerable attention, and in any circumstance, it could not record very well.
The Disklavier system is far superior. It has proven to be completely reliable in terms of playback, and as a recording mechanism it is wonderful. I have recorded a number of fine pianists and they are pleased with the results. I also use the Disklavier, in conjunction with a finely-tuned Duo-Art Vorsetzer, to convert piano rolls to disc. It is impossible to tell one from the other except that the Disklavier system is completely silent and void of any motor noise or vacuum background noise. It is also only two years old, but I have a friend who purchased one of the first Yamaha Disklavier uprights, and that instrument has been reliable over a number of years.
Incidentally, I enjoy the new music on the Disklavier, as well as the old music from piano rolls, from the early turn of the century through ragtime, into the popular twenties and through the thirties, as well as the classics made by famous composers and performers of the day. I love it all -- and why not?
Regards,
Tom Steuer
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(Message sent Thu 6 Mar 1997, 06:29:56 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.) |
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