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MMD > Archives > August 1999 > 1999.08.16 > 05Prev  Next


Roll-Playing Banjo
By Ed Sprankle

John Farrell wrote:

> I believe that the contraption was a build-up (there seemed to
> be no manufacturer mentioned anywhere) but the rolls seemed to be
> commercially produced.

Hi Pal, It's a replica of the Encore (manufacturer), replicated by
virtuoso nickelodeon restorer Dave Ramey.  I think he built and sold
about ten.  Art Reblitz, the mechanical musical renaissance man, is
credited with creation of at least some of the currently existing
rolls.

The idea for the machine was conceived by Chas. B. Kendall of Boston,
Massachusetts.  By 1897 a factory in New York was producing these
amazing instruments.  There is a fascinating and extensive 20-page
history of the firm and its instruments in Bowers' Encyclopedia.

Regards, Ed Sprankle



(Message sent Mon, 16 Aug 1999 16:46:24 EDT , from time zone -0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Banjo, Roll-Playing

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