A few years ago we rebuilt a German Welte Vorsetzer and converted it
to play U.S. Licensee rolls.  The main purpose was to transcribe
Licensee rolls to the Yamaha [disk file] format.  It was fitted to a
large 7-foot-plus Yamaha Disklavier.  This particular Yamaha has been
maintained by factory personnel.

The day after the delivery of the Vorsetzer it was demonstrated at an
AMICA meeting in our area, with classical rolls played by the Vorsetzer
and immediately repeated by the Yamaha Disklavier system.

All present said they could hear no discernible difference between the
performances.  A properly regulated Welte Vorsetzer performing on a
very well-regulated Yamaha grand can be very impressive!

We have also heard the PianoDisc system in a grand played outdoors by
a recording artist and then the performance replayed by the PianoDisc
system with no discernible difference.  This too, was very impressive.
Neither piano had any problems with rapid repetition.

It is possible that on a grand piano played at low volume, either by
hand or by solenoid system, that the hammers may not go into check
properly.  If this is the case, the repetition spring could cause the
hammers to raise close to the strings.  If this is the case, the hammer
has to travel downward farther to come to rest, and be ready to
recycle.  This problem can be minimized with proper regulation.

Bob Lemon
Lemon's Player Piano Service
Sacramento CA

 [ That's a very convincing demonstration, Bob: immediate comparison
 [ using the same piano, and evaluation by a qualified and critical
 [ audience.  I hope others will try it!  -- Robbie