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I am a new and proud owner of a single Mills Violano. I wanted one for
the last 12 years when I first saw one. This is the machine that was
purchased on eBay for $15k. It is in all original condition and is a
pleasure to restore. It was located in Texas and we made a vacation to
pick up the machine and see the Heartland of the USA in the meantime.
I was happy to purchase the machine from a very nice and appreciative
couple.
The machine was complete except for the converter and the feeder motor.
Through the efforts of two contributors on MMD, Ed Gloeggler and Jack
Breen, Violano owners themselves, we were able to locate and purchase a
feeder motor and flywheel. A local motor shop has completely restored
the motor.
We are currently in the midst of a full restoration. I have experience
with player piano restoration, but this so far is the most complicated
yet most enjoyable. You can really appreciate the ingenuity of the
Mills engineering staff and is a throwback to when America was an
industrial behemoth.
We have been very careful to catalogue each item and associated
hardware and are taking as much time necessary restore the machine to
it's original state.
My friend, Ed, has been instrumental in this restoration. He owns a
Violano and has excellent mechanical abilities. If I need information
about the machine, he is a phone call away and willing to pull covers
off his machine and help us. I would never have undertaken a
restoration of this scope without his assistance.
It is an honor to be an owner of such a popular and sophisticated
automatic musical instrument such as the Mills Violano-Virtuoso.
Peter, New York
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