Divergence of Goals and Opinions
By Douglas K. Rhodes
Greetings:
I was sad to see Robin Pratt's reaction to Robbie Rhodes' article regarding the questionable nature of claims to "Instant Playback" by the reproducing piano firms. I am not writing to defend Robbie's remarks. They are as open to discussion as anything else on the forum, though I must say I personally saw no "dismissal" of the recording processes of the past, only a discussion of historical probabilities.
In any event, it is distressing to me that Robin would see in Robbie's article continuing evidence that this forum has abandoned AMICA principles, "since [as Robin put it] most of the members are interested in converting them [historic instruments] or using a quick-shot-fix to git 'em goin'".
Whew.
Discussions have certainly been lively and sometimes heated on this forum. My own recent tete-a-tete with Craig Brougher comes to mind. But I continue to have a great deal of respect for Craig's practical experience, and I have been saving a "notebook" of his invaluable advice regarding valves, glue, leather, and so forth. I am not dismayed by the disagreement I may have had with him, and I suspect he's not losing any sleep over it either.
As far as the Midi stuff is concerned, it seems to me that it is the obvious realm for continuing experimentation and research with regard to mechanical or electro-mechanical music reproducing devices. And it is clear that research utilizing computers and Midi has revealed a tremendous amount of new and worthwhile information about the nature of the old reproducing piano industry.
I have seen very little input to the forum suggesting that collectors and experimenters wish to irreversibly convert older instruments to Midi. Rather, much of the interest in Midi seems aimed at preserving and reproducing the information currently stored in rare, rapidly deteriorating paper rolls. And I certainly take exception to the notion that contributors to this forum are looking for a "quick-shot-fix to git 'em goin'". That's not me, nor is it Craig, or Ron, or Larry, or Robbie, or Jody...
To me, this is a very high-level, lively and informative forum, and has been of enormous benefit to me personally in my business restoring historic musical instruments. But a forum is still a public place, with all the accompanying dangers - and rewards.
Cheers
Doug Rhodes
R.P.T. - The Piano Technicians Guild
Victoria, British Columbia
CANADA |
(Message sent Tue 21 May 1996, 23:58:00 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.) |
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