I ran into something rather amusing the other day. I was informed at
a auction house that a fellow had tried to see a "utopia" player piano
the previous week. I asked for directions, as I wanted to see this
instrument.
When I tracked it down, it turned out to be a nice Cable inner-player
with pumps but no stack. The amusing thing was the so-called "piano
expert" who was present. She informed me that the piano was made in
the 1800s and that there was _nothing_ missing. And, only today,
I could purchase this rare and valuable antique for the sum of $1500.00!
I refused, doing my best not to laugh.
Well, two weeks later I received a phone call from her husband, informing
me that if I hauled "that @#$$$%! piano" away, it was mine. Talk about
a quickly depreciating value!
If anyone has a orphaned two-tier Cable stack, I would appreciate
hearing from you. This is the smaller stack with the rocking levers.
I have seen two types of Cable Co. pianos, the earlier model has the
spool box above the hammer line (like old Kimballs) and the piano is
no deeper than a regular upright, and the later model is more like
a conventional player, and not quite as tall. This is the later model
Euphona.
I don't mind saving this piano if I can locate a stack for it, as it
is original with a perfect keyboard, and is quite restore able. I do
not plan on "rescuing" it until I can find an action stack.
Andy Taylor
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