This is my response to 21-year-old Troy Taylor and his note about
Mechanical Music for the Masses.

I think the best thing you can do, Troy, is to buy an old player piano,
and get someone with some knowledge to assist you or direct you in
rebuilding it.  Then you can gather some good piano rolls and treat your
friends to some good old player piano music that comes from a piano that
you restored!  Who knows, perhaps one of your friends will enjoy your
piano so much he will decide to find himself one to restore, and you can
help him!

As far as money is concerned: shop around, take a knowledgeable player
technician with you, and sometimes an old player can be had free for the
hauling!  In time you will develop new friendships and find many musical
instruments to enjoy.  I did that very thing when I was twelve!  I'm glad
of it, and I'm still enjoying the music!

Bruce Clark