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Ragtime Player Pianos
By Bob Ebert

I need help/advice, whatever.

Does anyone out there have experience in installing a Ragtime Piano
Co.  nickelodeon kit (which in its basic form converts a piano into a
player for "O" rolls) in a standard upright?  I am considering
installing such a kit in a 1910 Price & Teeple upright that is in very
good condition (reconditioned about 17 years ago).

I know some of the pros and cons;  we would be modifying a perfectly
good piano - it would be neither new nor an antique player.  On the
other hand, for personal reasons we do not want to part with the Price
& Teeple and we do not have room for another piano, yet want a player.
Also, although not a technician by any means, the challenge of doing
the installation is intriguing.

Ragtime told me it takes them 3.5 hours to install the mechanism in
their pianos;  customers average time is about 8 hours, and the maximum
is about 11 hours.  If you install drums, cymbal, or xylaphone, etc.,
it would take longer.  These items could be added later, finances and
time permitting.

Does a novice dare do this?  What is the likely quality of the final
product?  Does anyone have a Ragtime Piano or one converted from one of
their kits, etc., etc?

Talk me out of it or talk me into it - I'm open to advice at this
point.  (With discounts the kit, uninstalled, is available for around
$1500.)

Thanks for any suggestions/advice/help.

Bob Ebert



(Message sent Fri, 8 Nov 1996 16:26:12 -0500 (EST) , from time zone -0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Pianos, Player, Ragtime