Introduction - Hello at Last
By Des and Jill Miller
I have been trying to get things together to introduce myself for the last couple of weeks. I started to read the back-issue digests to become familiar with the contents; however, I can see now it will take me forever, everything is so interesting. I tried to subscribe to the group last May when several people from a message I posted in "Free Agent" told me of your address.
I am now rather amazed, Jody, that your reply said you manage a "small mailing list"! It was only recently when Michael Waters set me right about the correct way to subscribe that I actually arrived.
[ Ed. Note: I think our "small" mailing list has grown to over 300
[ subscribers! And when Jody returns from the MBSI convention there
[ are already ten new people to be added! -- Robbie
After reading some back issues I think I must have a "pumper". It is an upright Autotone Player that you pedal, with lots of levers and buttons, but now I think I probably wanted a reproducing player. However, I was one of those people who called all players Pianolas.
I was also given the impression that you could not get rolls anymore, so I bought hundreds from second hand shops; probably the majority are the type one of the members uses for kindling. Since being on the Web, I discovered Q.R.S & Bam Bam & Playright so, as we had a small tourist outlet, I have been able to import some, and save others from the same fate of believing there are no new rolls being made. The rumours keep flying around Australia that Mastertouch are closing down, however, I don't think that is correct either.
I really enjoy my player, and belong to a small group of people who get together about once a month mainly for a sing-along. I mostly like classical music, tunes from musicals, and of course some of the old favourites that one always associates with a player.
I don't think some of the newer rolls sound as good; probably I'm used to hearing orchestras playing them on C.D's. Also, I am still learning to be more discerning re the arrangements and who is actually playing. One of our (my husband and I) other interests is collecting Antique Oil Lamps and Genealogy. I can see I could develop an interest in music boxes as I have just seen one that looks like a grandfather clock. Better leave that one for next time I make contact.
If anyone can give me any information re my "Autotone Player" I would be grateful, as I don't know anyone else with the same brand.
Jill Miller
[ Ed. Note: Welcome aboard, Jill & Des. Although the current dis-
[ cussion thread is "Too-Loud Pianos", I'm sure there will be further
[ mention of the pleasures of pumper pianos like yours. Dan Wilson and
[ the folks in Great Britain are veritable Champions of the Sport!
[ -- Robbie
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(Message sent Thu 29 Aug 1996, 21:42:05 GMT, from time zone GMT+1000.) |
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