Andy Taylor writes:

> My guess is that these player owners feel a little inferior compared
> to the person who is lucky enough to have coin pianos and reproducers.

His comment suddenly had some memories of mine rear up, from way back
in time.

As a eager and young member of the MBS I once visited the home of a
collector.  There were a few instruments around but what caught my eye
and fancy was the well-restored Seeburg KT.  I was enthralled with its
sound and lusted after it.  After praising its sound and beauty I
wondered to myself just what it would take to own one of them.

When I asked the owner how much it might cost to purchase one, he
dismissed  me by saying, "Well, if you don't have the money, you have no
right to be in this hobby."

Quite a caviler response from a guy who made his living cleaning out
cesspools.

Andy LaTorre
LaTorre Orgue Mecanique