Robin and Jody,

The J.B. Nethercutt Collection (as it is called now) was absolutely a
religious experience for me.  Oh, yeah, yeah, all of the old cars were
swell, but I couldn't wait to get upstairs! Oh heavens.  Tragically, most
of the AMI were damaged in the earthquake.  It seems that they anticipated
the quake by securing the *tops* of the instruments to keep them from falling
over.  When the earth did move, the *bottoms* of the instruments, on
wheels, rolled out from underneath, causing the bottom-heavy instruments
to split in two, smashing pipes and cabinets.  THEN the whole wretched
mess sat submerged in water for over 24 hours before the building could
be occupied again...  The cabinets are mostly restored, but not all of
the instruments are playable yet.  The hosts did play a couple of 'duets'
with the Mighty Wurlitzer and Bosendorfer (sp) piano.  Wowsers.  And I
couldn't resist sticking my head inside the front of the Pan Orchestra
while it was playing! If I didn't live over three boring hours' drive
away, I'd camp there every weekend.  Spectacular!

-Pete