Robbie, as a former Marantz sales representative, installer and dealer,
I can answer a few things about Pianocorder.

When introduced in 1978, the wholesale dealer price was $800 plus an
additional $150 for the record option.  Initially, to become a dealer
you had to sign up for quite a few kits in a year, along with buying
two Vorsetzers at $1295 each.

Joe Tushinsky needed a piano company to offer installed mechanisms
along with the piano.  He bought the Kincaid Piano Company and sold
a variety of models, including one with a case of solid cherry.

At present, a MIDI-to-Pianocorder unit, with in/out & through, is
manufactured by Bob Baker in Libertyville, IL.  His price for the
MC-2 (MIDI unit for Pianocorders) is $600.  They work very well.

 [ This unit was designed by MMDer Will Dahlgren.  -- Robbie

There are some great tapes, a lot made from Ampico and Duo-Art rolls,
and probably from a lot of other sources.  A lot of modern tapes too,
if 1978 is considered modern.

I was still working for Joe when the Company was sold -- eventually to
Yamaha -- for $3.6 million.  Joe had sunk, I believe, over 30 million
in the project and 6 million in the opening advertising budget.  Over
the ten-year period, 17,000 were sold.

I still am active in the solenoid player business, installing PianoDisc
and Pianomation.  My twin, Dick Leonard, in San Fransisco, also
installs both systems, along with paper roll player restorations.

Grant Leonard
Minneapolis, MN

 [ Thanks for writing, Grant.  We're slowly assembling the Pianocorder
 [ history, so it won't be lost.  -- Robbie