Ragtime Player Pianos
By Bob Ebert
I need help/advice, whatever.
Does anyone out there have experience in installing a Ragtime Piano Co. nickelodeon kit (which in its basic form converts a piano into a player for "O" rolls) in a standard upright? I am considering installing such a kit in a 1910 Price & Teeple upright that is in very good condition (reconditioned about 17 years ago).
I know some of the pros and cons; we would be modifying a perfectly good piano - it would be neither new nor an antique player. On the other hand, for personal reasons we do not want to part with the Price & Teeple and we do not have room for another piano, yet want a player. Also, although not a technician by any means, the challenge of doing the installation is intriguing.
Ragtime told me it takes them 3.5 hours to install the mechanism in their pianos; customers average time is about 8 hours, and the maximum is about 11 hours. If you install drums, cymbal, or xylaphone, etc., it would take longer. These items could be added later, finances and time permitting.
Does a novice dare do this? What is the likely quality of the final product? Does anyone have a Ragtime Piano or one converted from one of their kits, etc., etc?
Talk me out of it or talk me into it - I'm open to advice at this point. (With discounts the kit, uninstalled, is available for around $1500.)
Thanks for any suggestions/advice/help.
Bob Ebert
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(Message sent Fri 8 Nov 1996, 21:26:12 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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