[ Don Teach wrote in 071107 MMDigest:

> The listenability of the Ampico or other fine reproducing piano is
> far greater than you will experience with the add-on electronic kit.
> I think "ear fatigue" would be my most accurate description of the
> add-on electronic kit.

Say more about this, Don.  I am a newbie as regards the electronic
players and I figured that they would be better.  In theory they
should be able to reproduce the rolls and more, and without some of
the mechanical noise of a pump and roll mechanism.  Are the currently
available electronics just not done right or is there something that
inherently cannot be done as well with the electronic systems?

Jim Katz

 [ The theory is okay.  There are no technical problems with the
 [ solenoid player mechanisms that can't be overcome with thorough
 [ engineering; witness the Stahnke SE system in Boesendorfer pianos.
 [
 [ I think the problem lies mostly in the _system_, which is the sum
 [ of the hardware plus the library of available music.  Contemporary
 [ electronic piano _systems_ don't offer a large library of good
 [ quality older music performances that the fans of the pneumatic
 [ pianos enjoy.  -- Robbie