For many years I was involved with player and reproducing pianos.  There
seems to be a subculture of musical snobbery.  It can rob us of our
delight and enjoyment we derive from our mechanical instruments.

 While, I agree that the reproduction from a reproducing piano may not be
exact, what we hear pleases us.  Why are there persons who take delight
in destroying our enjoyment by exercising their superiority and judgment
upon our beloved instruments?  Are they trying to build their own
faltering egos at our expense?

If they had restored an old car, would we tell them they had a piece of
junk?  I don't think so.  In contrast, I have had many fine professional
musicians listen to reproducing rolls, who had genuine interest.

I find it interesting that the best professional musicians never make a
derogatory comment about an attempt to produce music of any kind, be it a
reproducing piano or a steam-powered player zither.

It should be said, that repeated put-downs of our mechanical instruments
by the musically "Superior" begin to wear thin, and sooner or later those
who persist, will find themselves dropped from invitations and becoming
less popular.

Bruce Clark