Years ago, I had a Seeburg KT that I bought as a K. It was missing the
trap shelf as well as the lock-and-cancel valves of the xylophone and
expression. Evidently a route operator had converted it to A rolls.
I put in an exact replica trap shelf (the tambourine jingles were even
fluted), but I knew it was now a partial reproduction as the trap shelf
and lock-and-cancel were not original.
Which brings me to the question: How many "original parts" must an
instrument contain to be considered original and not a reproduction
or a replica?
Certainty, the Seeburg G's and H's of Dave Ramey's manufacture were
not "original" in any sense of them originally leaving the factory as a
G or H, but what hath he wrought? Ditto his BanjOrchestra -- these are
mighty fine examples of so-called "unoriginal" instruments.
I understand that in the classic automobile hobby, a restoration
starting with only say a chassis or even a windshield and fabricating
the balance of parts constitutes a legitimate restoration. Opinions?
Cheers,
S. K. Goodman
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