Hi Dan,

I've installed over 50 PianoDisc units in various pianos.  Most of them
very similar to yours.  With the action properly regulated and the
PianoDisc unit installed properly, the piano plays very nice, both
automatically and manually.  The unit pushes up on the back end of each
key and so it has no effect on the way the piano plays manually.  I've
seen some really bad installations and I can't stress enough the
importance of having the unit installed PROPERLY.

Most installations will play all 88 notes.  There are exceptions for
safety reasons.  The leg must be cut on the back and inside corner to
make way for the rail cover.  If this cut goes so deep it affects the
strength of the attaching hardware, then a few notes must be left off to
accommodate the leg.  There's another retrofit player unit out there that
claims you don't have to cut into the leg.  That's because you have to
pay extra to get more than 76 notes of playing mechanism.

PianoDisc makes a 3 1/2" floppy based unit (model 128) and a CD based
unit (PianoCD).  Options include record and symphony.  The basic unit
with no options, local pick up and delivery, installation including
tuning in home (around here) comes to about $5000.

I would strongly suggest you not install this unit yourself.  There's
lots of things you could do yourself on this installation, but all it
takes is a few things done wrong, and the unit will not perform very well
at all.

There is quite a library of disks available for the PianoDisc system, and
it will play all the disks from Yamaha's Disklavier as well as the QRS
Pianomation.  Judging from the comments of the people that I've talked
with, the PianoDisc disks have more music on them (one hour minimum), and
the expression is better.

I enjoy working with the manufacturer.  They are very supportive whenever
I call.  That means the customer gets taken care of.

In summary, the Disklavier is nice but you have to buy the piano it's
attached to, the Pianomation system works but the PianoDisc works nicer
for about the same money.

Feel free to email me or call me directly regarding your questions about
getting more fun out of your piano.  I'd be glad to help.

--- Larry Fisher RPT, Portland Metro's Authority on PianoDisc Systems
       For more information call (360) 256-2999 in Vancouver, Wa.
                      or email larryf@pacifier.com