Conn console

[carl meyer]

A piano playing device was developed by a group of engineers in Tenn.
working for Teledyne.  It didn't do too well in the limited market and
still had some problems.  It was bought by Joseph Tushinski of
Superscope, cleaned up and marketed as the Pianocorder.  The pianocorder
division of Marantz was under Superscope.  Later, a spin off moved to N.
Carolina and did the actual manufacturing of the units.  They
overproduced and had a two year inventory, the n..c. facility went out
of busiiness, Superscope was sold and the new company sold the
pianocorder div. to Yamaha.  Yamaha wanted the patent rights so that
they could market the Disklavier in this country.  I've installed many
of them and with a few exeptions they were a very reliable unit. That is
of they were installed properly.  I still hate to work on one that was
installed by someone else.  I've worked in electronics all my life, so
it was a natural for me.  Of those I've installed I've serviced less
that 20% over the years.  The biggest problem was always the actual tape
recorder.  I still have a large quantity of parts, tapes and few
complete units for sale.

Carl Meyer
Santa Clara, Ca.

JIMRPT@AOL.COM wrote:
> 
> This question ain't about the Conn, rather it is about the 'Marantz' of
> pianocorder fame :-)  Who made this thingee and or did Marantz actually make
> their own?
> Jim Bryant (FL)