The power of a reproducing piano on some people is amazing!  Running
the bed and breakfast inn with my instruments on display I have ample
opportunity to demonstrate them when a guest is interested.  Most are
amazed -- they're impressed that they sound so realistic, want to
know what kind of amplification system my Mira music box has, etc.,
but very few catch the bug.

Last week I was hiring a college student to help me move some
furniture and I mentioned that I would need some help moving a piano
upstairs in a short while.  We talked, and I told him it was a player
piano.  A week later he wanted to see the piano so he came over for
a visit.

I showed him the un-restored top-loader upright Marshall & Wendell,
and demonstrated the Ampico and Duo-Art for him.  From that moment
he was hooked -- he wanted one for himself!

We went to see a standard 88-note player, but he had to have a
reproducing piano once he had heard the Ampico.  Well, he offered to
buy my piano and I accepted.  It will take him a few months to pay it
off, but he'd move mountains to have one.

To me, it was exciting to see his reactions -- it reminded me so much
of the first time I heard an Ampico.  :)

Eli Shahar - Bradford Place Inn
Sonora, California