Several years ago I acquired a Peerless Elite piano in poor unrestored
condition. Some original rolls came with the piano, also in poor
condition. I walked past the piano for a long time (10 years) wishing
I had it in playing condition.
Then there were the rolls gathering dust with no boxes, no leaders,
no tune list. I even bought more of the rolls when I could find them.
I had a piano with many rolls (17), and had no idea what either sounded
like.
After two failed attempts at getting the rolls converted to MIDI files
I contacted Frank Himpsl and "Shazooom," he is doing it! I just
received the first of the tunes today and this is great stuff. Frank
is able to identify a lot of the tunes but some remain a mystery. As
the project develops I plan to make the MIDI files available for all to
enjoy and perhaps help identify the missing titles.
While I can't watch the roll go by, I can watch the keys go up and down
on my electronic piano and at last hear this great music.
Jon Guy
Arnett, Oklahoma
[ Jon wrote a few years ago that the Peerless Elite coin piano
[ rolls are 14.5 inches wide and perforated at 7 holes per inch.
[ Congratulations to Jon and Frank Himpsl on their success!
[ -- Robbie
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