Ken Vinen lamented, "I am disturbed that player pianos are being sent
to landfill, after they were offered free for the taking."

I share Ken's concern but what is to be done about it?  Most of us with
an interest in the hobby already own instruments in first-class order
which satisfy our musical requirements.  Indeed, in some collectors'
houses I have visited there are so many that forward motion is possible
only by shuffling sideways.

Years ago a free player piano would have been a very attractive
proposition, however that is no longer the case.  If I am typical of
the present-day aficionado living in average circumstances, I would ask
myself several questions:

 "I already own a player piano so where would I put this one?
  Will it require a lot of work?  If so, how much will the work cost?
  Am I prepared to pay that amount?  Do I really need another instrument?
  If I get it will the wife sue for divorce?"

Rescuing all these unwanted instruments strikes me as being similar
to filling your house with stray cats and dogs.  Your philanthropic
motives might give you a warm inner glow but, even if you could
accommodate them all, what on earth would you do with such a multitude
of bulky items -- always remembering that it has proved impossible to
give them away?

A few dealers I know are having enormous problems selling their wares
even at very reasonable prices, consequently I am not at all surprised
that so many of these noble beasts are consigned to landfill.  Of
course it is a great pity, but in today's world it seems to be an
economic fact of life about which we can do little or nothing.

John Farrell
http://homepages.tesco.net/~stridepiano/midifiles.htm