Introduction and Rolls
By Ray Fairfield
Let me take this opportunity to introduce myself. I've been subscribing to this nifty service for a few months now, without much to say. Just listening and learning, for the most part.
I live in Morgan Hill, California. I have a Weber 5'8" Duo-Art Grand, a 88-note upright player, and a 1901 Simplex Vorsetzer, all refinished and restored by me. I am fascinated by the old player piano technology, and as retirement looms ever closer, I plan to devote more time to finding and restoring these unique instruments.
I'm always on the lookout for rolls, and was in Whittier, California over the weekend. I found a stock of piano rolls at an antique store called "King Richard's Antique Mall"; you know, one of those places with a zillion dealers where you can't negotiate with the owner. Anyway, one of the vendors had a stock of rolls there. There were maybe 50 88-note rolls, which were of little interest, except there were a few "Themodist" rolls, with the snakebites. And there were 17 or 18 65-note rolls, mostly the jumbo rolls, in excellent condition. They don't fit my vorsetzer, so I didn't buy them. They were of mostly English and German manufacture.
The brand name of the one I did buy was "Triumph", and it was originally sold in Germany, and has a tax stamp on the leader. Some boxes appeared to be "Themodist" brand, but, indeed, they were 65-note rolls. Since several of you had inquired recently about 65 note rolls, I thought I'd pass on this information to you. You can find maybe 18 or so of them for $4 each at King Richard's Antique Mall, 12301 Whittier Blvd., Whittier, CA 90602. Phone 310-698-5974.
I bought two Apollo Concert Grand rolls that were there. I left one that didn't have a box. They're about 16 inches wide. I've never even seen an Apollo Concert Grand, but when I find one, I'll be ready!
Hope this is of use to somebody.
Regards,
Ray Fairfield
[ Welcome to Mech Music Digest, Ray. I think it was Rob DeLand who
[ last spoke about the Apollo Concert Grand, and he said that it had
[ two sets of pneumatics: for loud and soft playing. Who knows:
[ those giant rolls may be wanted by someone, somewhere! Thanks for
[ writing. -- Robbie
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(Message sent Mon 3 Feb 1997, 04:39:39 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.) |
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