After finally obtaining access to the Internet, I can now talk to others
out here that are into mechanical music.  Who am I?  Funny you should
ask.

My name is Mike Carey.  I have been involved in mechanical music machines
all my life (33 years).  I think I grew up cutting my teeth on T-bar
tubing!

My leanings are towards piano-based machines.  I currently have several
88-note players, a 1919 Stoddard-Ampico Knabe (6' 1") grand, a Welte
Licensee Krakauer upright, a home-building (still not finished, so I
can't say home-built) "O" roll orchestrion, plus an original 1920's
Coinola A-roll nickelodeon (needs to be completely restored).

I am continually looking for recordings of machines.  Whenever I am on
the road traveling, I stop in antique stores and flea markets.
Occasionally I run across records of band organs, player pianos, etc.  I
did find an unopened copy of the record "De Cementolen" band organ in a
heavy shop music shop in a flea market!  So it does pay to look in flea
markets.

I must agree somewhat with Craig Brougher concerning the current rage in
music.  I have a varied taste in music I like to listen to.  I like
classical, ragtime, nickelodeon/band organ, as well as some rock (like
ZZTop and Jethro Tull).  I can not stand heavy metal!  (But I do have one
CD of "The London Symphony Orchestra Plays Jethro Tull" -- definitely
different!)

I do have some extra parts from players long past, that I am interested
in maybe doing some trading, etc.   Example: I have a complete set of
Ampico expression and crescendo assemblies (rescued from a stripped
upright), and a set of 21 Wurlitzer 4-in-1 pot metal valve castings from
a Recordo grand piano (also stripped, only to put a Marantz PianoCorder
in it's place) that appear to be in great condition.

I plan on enjoying this group a lot! and Hello to all!

Age : 33¶
Guess for average age : 53¶
Mike Carey¶
mcarey@usit.net

 [ Hi, Mike, and welcome aboard.  You have a nice variety of interests.
 [ Do tell us about good recordings of mechanical music which you
 [ find in your travels.  -- Robbie