I'd like to clarify something from yesterday's post MMD 021121
because of a subject title change.  In the debate over solenoid vs.
reproducing pianos, my vote has to go to the original reproducing
pianos.  I've heard a few solenoid pianos and wasn't really impressed
with the tone.  I know they might have conveniences that roll-operated
systems don't, but to me it's not that big of a deal to change rolls.
(Try changing a coin piano roll under the keybed over and over).
How about a "Fastest roll changing" contest at the next MBSI meeting?

You just can't compare the majority of modern pianos with the quality
of pianos made in the first quarter of the twentieth century.

Regarding tempo, I've even heard this happen at the Merle Norman
museum, "San Sylmar".  In the classic car showroom at the beginning of
the tour, an Ampico on the stair landing is played.  Usually it sounds
magnificent.  But when Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" was played too
fast, I asked my friend and others and the general consensus was "Yes",
they could tell it was a player piano.  This because the tempo was
slightly too fast.  But the beauty of tone in the original reproducing
pianos is a work of art compared to mass production.

Brian Smith
Calimesa, CA