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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><<Long but worth it- read
on>></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have come across the most =
unusual
piano. The local dealer got it in on trade some time ago for a new =
Petrof,
but I never got a chance to get a close look until a couple nights =
ago.
</FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>This piano has a player in it that =
wasn't
working. Under the assumption that it was a Pianocorder, (as the dealer
thought), I agreed to take a look-see with no promises.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The piano looks beautiful, an =
interesting burled
walnut finish. The front has intricate lattice work overlaying =
clear
glass. There are only six and a half octaves making the =
piano
look like a Victorian birdcage, though it is not. Over all a very =
nice
specimen. But then the surprise... smoke and mirrors my
friends.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'll start by saying that some =
technician somewhere
put an enormous amount of work into this. I have to question if they =
made any
money out of it concerning the labor that must have been involved. =
The
piano is studio sized and has "Collard & Collard" on the fall board =
and
below that it the name of a dealer in London. Pretty exotic
sounding. Cast into the plate, however, is "Marshal & =
Wendell", an
American manufacturer. Then the other surprise. This piano =
is
actually more of a large console or very small studio. About four =
inches
has been added to the height of the piano with a filler section. =
The
modification is very well done, it almost fooled me. The sides are =
continuous with no patch made to extend the height, thus the entire =
sides
of the piano were also replaced. Likewise the entire exterior of =
the piano
was re-veneered, a very good job of it too. The lattice work =
covering
the front is all custom made; clearly someone spent a lot of time making =
it and
did a fine job. It is all assembled with vintage hardware, =
however, to
give it an antique look. At first, second, even third glance you =
would
swear that this is all original, but it most certainly is not. I =
have
never seen such an intense effort to completely convert a =
piano.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The saga continues...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now onto the player. The entire =
system is
homemade!! At first glance the control box, (which is very neatly
installed in a roll out drawer), looks like an old Pianocorder. It =
even
fooled me. Slide it out, however, and surprise... says Yamaha =
it! It
is nothing more then a simple midi sequencer. Closer examination =
reveals
that the unit is connected to old Pianocorder logic boards. The =
main power
supply for the whole thing is from Radio Shack. But it doesn't =
stop
there... The system is operated by vacuum pneumatics! Below is =
a very
strange pneumatic player stack made from aluminum and PVC. A small =
and
VERY noisy suction motor is tucked into a corner. A platform to =
support
all of this is built with the same neat looking craftsmanship as the =
rest of the
modifications. Small electro-pneumatic valves activate the =
pneumatics from
the midi sequencer instead of a music roll. This was an =
amazing and
gallant effort by someone to invent there own player system. =
Unfortunately
it was largely in vain. This strange system has no expression =
capability,
and there are numerous sticking electro-pneumatic valves. =
With the
noise of the pump, the whole thing is pretty futile. Only half the =
notes
seem to be playing, and it sounded pretty bad. The dealer would =
like to
have it removed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So there you have it. I can't =
imagine how
much work someone must have put into this, there is no possible way
the cost could have been worth it, but wow what an effort. I =
would
like to try and post a few pictures of this when I get the chance. =
Has
anyone else seen one like this or have any idea who, (a name), may have =
done
this?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rob Goodale, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Las Vegas, NV</FONT></DIV>
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