I believe the shortcomings of the solenoid systems can and will be
resolved soon, and I'll be one of the first to get it.  Having spent the
ENTIRE weekend with a grin on my face, downloading and playing hundreds
of MIDI oriented music from the Internet, for free, I am as sold as they
get.  I don't really give a hoot whether it's solenoids, pneumatic
actuators, linear motors, or what have you.  The important point is that
the introduction of MIDI into the equation is a totally liberating force,
much more than just an "Attaboy".

Regarding those "great" old cars with carburetors, distributors, and the
like, PHOOEY.  My '69 Firebird was NEVER able to be brought into proper
running order, gobbled gas, and "ran-on" after the ignition was turned
off, ka chug ka chug bang.  My '89 Bonneville, however, with electronic
fuel control (solenoid driven), electronic ignition, etc., is totally
reliable, basically never needs a tune-up, is much more powerful with
fewer cylinders, and uses 1/3 the gas and ...  well, draw your own
conclusions.

Let's not let our love of all things old disguise the fact that the
engineers of the early 1900's struggled with a much smaller pool of
available materials, mechanisms, and had to invent basically everything
from scratch.  Were they geniuses, yes.  Did they produce marvelous
machines, yes.  Are they worth rebuilding, a qualified yes.  Should we
attempt to drag our feet and stop time, absolutely NO.

For every well-operating, properly adjusted Ampico/Duo-Art/Welte or
88-note player out there, there are a thousand others that are
languishing in partial or total disrepair.  This is due partly to their
age, partly to wear and abuse, but I would contend, it's mainly due to
their incredible complexity, and their reliance on materials guaranteed to
fail.  If you don't believe me, take a look at the pot-metal motor frame
from a 1920's Ampico, if you can find one that hasn't cracked or jammed
up.  Take a look at the stack from any old player, and you'll find
pinholes galore that just eat your suction.  Then try to lift a player
grand, or try to pull out the keyboard/action from a Duo-Art Steinway.

Now, take a look at the underside of any Pianomation, PianoDisc, or
Yamaha.  You'll see room, open space.  You'll see easily replaceable,
repairable modular construction.  Got a bad solenoid?  5 minutes later
it's replaced.  Want to upgrade to a new processor?  Again, 5 minutes.
So, how long did it take you the last time the seals on your expression
regulator popped a leak?

Maybe I'm the wrong kind of participant in this group, but as I check
the name, "Mechanical Music", it all becomes clear to me.  The processors
and solenoids, etc., of the new breed of music machines are a natural,
proper, and wonderful evolution, one that should be encouraged, developed
and promoted.  And I'll be there on the sidelines to cheer and provide
support.

Now climbing off my high horse...

Neil Rosenberg