Hi friends,  I have only been acquainted with reproducing pianos for
twenty-five years or so, and here in Western New York there aren't
that many any more, but one upright that totally convinced me of the
musicality of the reproducing system was a 1928 upright Marshall &
Wendel Ampico that belonged to a friend of mine back in 1975.

It had been sitting out on a shipping dock for a few years, and was
covered with an ugly coat of chipped white paint, but my friend had
taken the time to meticulously rebuild the player, regulate the action
thoroughly, replace the hammers and have the piano restrung by a former
Steinway technician.  When a roll was placed in the spoolbox and the
switch turned on, you were immediately transported into a world of
glorious melodies and sumptuous harmonies.

I don't think that I have heard another upright piano sound so sweet.
But that piano convinced me that an upright reproducing  piano, even
if it is not a top of the line model, can make some glorious sounding
music!

Mike Walter