Introduction from an "Aussie"
By Michael Waters
Hi! to everyone, I'm a bit new to this internet stuff so bear with me.
I live in a town called Mildura in the very north west of the State of VICTORIA. So if you have a map of Australia handy you should be able to spot where I am. It's actually about 550k's from Melbourne (or 330 miles if you'd prefer). It's a very dry climate here, about 10inches rainfall a year. Gets to 45o C in the summer so our air con's get a good work out. I'm actually a Earthmoving Contractor here in the local area(far distance from automatic music-but there you go), Reproducing Piano's is a very keen interest of mine as I have an upright Marshell & Wendell with a modell A Ampico (1924) in it that I only finished restoring last year, I restung the piano re-built the action the works. It sounds very nice, although I'm not 100% happy with it yet, but I guess no hobbiest ever is. Also I have a 6'6" Knabe grand with a Stoddard Ampico action in it (1919) Yet to be restored but the piano sounds very nice, Ive actually got a Claviola 73 note pushup I can use on it. I do play myself but only self taught (nothing flash). I've got an 88 note claviola pushup I'm working on at the moment but who know's how long it'll be before it gets finished, then I'll be onto the Knabe. But with earthmoving as busy as it is I'd say it will be a while before it gets done. I have a few other items but nothing but nothing of significance, plenty of ordinary players too.
I'm married with a young family, my wife Carolyn who is very tolerant at times, me being busy and all (and now on the internet) what an idiot! I have three wounderful children Clinton 7, Naomi 4, & Joshua 2 and they are a real delight.Although they do have their moments.
Back to the automatic music interests, my long term aim is to have either of my two pushup's up to an electronic keyboard so that I can record them via MIDI - print out the sheet music and basically fiddle around and have a bit of fun, I guess the list is endless. Eventually I'd like to build an Ampico Vorsetzer and use that as well, I've actually seen two here in Australia (both in Sydney) Dennis Condon has one up to a brand new 7'4" Yamaha Disklavier and boy does it sound good (he also has a Duo-Art and welte Vorsetzer) and an amazing keyless upright Steinway with a red Welte in it, a rare piece indeed.
So if theirs anyone out there with the same interests as me I would love to hear from them, in fact if anyone knows any particular tricks to look out for in restoring the Stoddard Ampico I wouldn't mind hearing from them either.
Regards
Michael Waters
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Michael Waters
mwaters@apollo.ruralnet.net.au
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(Message sent Wed 17 Apr 1996, 13:03:36 GMT, from time zone GMT+1000.) |
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