Greetings:

I was sad to see Robin Pratt's reaction to Robbie Rhodes' article
regarding the questionable nature of claims to "Instant Playback" by
the reproducing piano firms.  I am not writing to defend Robbie's
remarks.  They are as open to discussion as anything else on the forum,
though I must say I personally saw no "dismissal" of the recording
processes of the past, only a discussion of historical probabilities.

In any event, it is distressing to me that Robin would see in Robbie's
article continuing evidence that this forum has abandoned AMICA
principles, "since [as Robin put it] most of the members are interested
in converting them [historic instruments] or using a quick-shot-fix to
git 'em goin'".

Whew.

Discussions have certainly been lively and sometimes heated on this
forum.  My own recent tete-a-tete with Craig Brougher comes to mind.
But I continue to have a great deal of respect for Craig's practical
experience, and I have been saving a "notebook" of his invaluable
advice regarding valves, glue, leather, and so forth.  I am not dismayed
by the disagreement I may have had with him, and I suspect he's not
losing any sleep over it either.

As far as the Midi stuff is concerned, it seems to me that it is the
obvious realm for continuing experimentation and research with regard
to mechanical or electro-mechanical music reproducing devices.  And it
is clear that research utilizing computers and Midi has revealed a
tremendous amount of new and worthwhile information about the nature of
the old reproducing piano industry.

I have seen very little input to the forum suggesting that collectors
and experimenters wish to irreversibly convert older instruments to
Midi.  Rather, much of the interest in Midi seems aimed at preserving
and reproducing the information currently stored in rare, rapidly
deteriorating paper rolls.  And I certainly take exception to the notion
that contributors to this forum are looking for a "quick-shot-fix to
git 'em goin'".  That's not me, nor is it Craig, or Ron, or Larry, or
Robbie, or Jody...

To me, this is a very high-level, lively and informative forum, and has
been of enormous benefit to me personally in my business restoring
historic musical instruments.  But a forum is still a public place, with
all the accompanying dangers - and rewards.

Cheers

Doug Rhodes¶
R.P.T. - The Piano Technicians Guild¶
Victoria, British Columbia¶
CANADA