Hey guys!  It's been a couple years since I got my player, and a year
since I've been separated from it.  (I miss my baby...  Anyone know a
safe cheap way to get a player from Colorado to Atlanta?)

Now that I'm based in Atlanta, and probably here to stay a while, I
want to start my cabinet restoration.  I'm not too worried about doing
it myself; I've already taken the player action out once to adjust some
of the stops.  I know I'll have to take everything out, of course.

I have a circa 1908-1909 Aeolian player, straight-up 88-note.  Right
now it's kinda of a dark cherry.  Does anyone know what it is supposed
to be stained as, or know where to find this info?  Or am I actually
looking at original stain?  (Can I tell?)

If that info is unavailable, I was thinking that I'd prefer a dark
stain.  It has no 'gingerbread' or any fancy woodwork on it.  While
the cabinet is still in rather good shape, the last owner had kids, so
there are nicks in the wood in places, which was touched up with one of
those 'oil based stain crayons'.  (Those things fade and change color
overtime.  I don't recommend them.)

I'm actually not touching the player action because, all in all, the
piano was well cared for, and the player passes any test I give it with
flying colors.  I do need to get it re-voiced, but cabinet comes first.
I do need a few parts for the player, which I'll inquire about later.

Sorry for the long message.  Been reading for a year, and now ready to
'get my hands dirty'.  :)

Mike Morrey