Relating to a recent posting about made-up orchestrions, etc., not
antiques, and some people like those, too:  The American Theatre Organ
Society had a "midlife crisis" some years back when members were --
heaven forbid! -- buying and liking _electronic_ organs, when everyone
knew that an authentic Wurlitzer (or Robert-Morton, or Link, or
Bartola, or Marr & Colton, etc.) pipe organ was the only way to go.

In recent times, electronics have become very much a part of ATOS,
and some of the makers, notably Allen Organ Co., make Hope-Jones style
consoles, etc., and advertise to ATOS members.  All seems to be at
peace.

Regarding modern made-up orchestrions, as I see it there are two
problems:

(1)  Many are of poor quality and don't hold up well.  Buyers
become disillusioned and dislike ALL automatic instruments.
Solution: Make better quality.

(2)  On the secondary market, auctions in America and Europe nearly
always _omit_ saying these are modern made-ups from player pianos,
etc., which, if not illegal, is certainly misleading.  Of course,
many sellers are clueless.

When someone _does_ make up a modern unit, such as Bill Edgerton's
KT Special clones of a few years back, they are well accepted, sell
for good prices and are appreciated.

Dave Bowers