G'day all, in MMD 970409, Les Smith says:
> It's just a personal opinion, but if I were you, I'd be happy with
> the earlier version of the Duo-Art mechanism found on your Steck grand.

I would go even further and say that the very early version (at least in
the uprights) was better still as it allowed the operator (would-be
pianist) to control the theme and accompaniment with one hand and keeping
an easily controlled relative accenting by using the fingers as the
accompaniment is varied.  The left hand controls all expression and the
right hand is free to vary tempo etc.

I find this quite tricky with two-handed expression as required on my
1921 Steck, but a breeze on my 1914 Stroud with the levers one above the
other.  I haven't had experience with the "Temponamic" control, but it
still requires two hands for expression as far as I can tell.

Another nice feature of the very early models is the full 88-note scale
in the Duo-Art 'off' position.  Many early rolls use more than the 80 notes
available on later types.  It seems to me that manual control was seen as
expendable as the technology developed and presumably some cost cutting
was necessary.   Nothing has changed!  Just my tuppence worth!

Cheers,
Darrell Clarke
Adelaide, Australia