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MMD > Archives > March 2010 > 2010.03.16 > 02Prev  Next


FS: Richard Vance's Model W Orchestrelle
By Michael Barisonek

Do you remember the story of this instrument?  It was restored by
Richard "Zeb" Vance over several years.  I purchased it from his estate
after he passed away and had it shipped to Canada where the restoration
was completed, the case refinished and the MIDI player installed.  Ron
Schmuck and his group did a fantastic job, and created a one-of-a-kind
instrument.  Ron's cabinet maker also built a matching roll cabinet
while he completed the case.

See  http://www.mmdigest.com/Tech/AeoW/index.html  for the long book
that Richard Vance composed while working on it.  I have a hard copy
of it, as well as his computer with source files and photos.  I think
as a package this is an important document, and should be kept
together.  This project has turned out to be an important piece of
mechanical music history.

I have a second book detailing all the work (and invoices) completed by
Ron Schmuck, so I am sure that this is the best documented restoration
of an Orchestrelle ever completed.

See: http://members.shaw.ca/smythe/barisonek.htm  for a photo and
description of how it looks today, as well as some of the construction
details of the MIDI player.

The best part of this instrument is that it is not limited to playing
58-note rolls.  I have an extensive collection of MIDI files from
88-note scans, Duo-Art and Ampico, band organ scans, live MIDI files,
and music played live on a MIDI keyboard that can be saved and played
back on the Orchestrelle.

The sale includes around 300 58-note rolls and the matching roll
cabinet.  It is reluctantly that I part with it, but downsizing of our
home means less room.  The asking price is my cost.

The cost for a complete restoration of an Orchestrelle has prevented
many of these wonderful instruments from surviving, and if you look at
the time that Richard Vance invested you will understand the value and
significance of his work.  Feel free to call me or e-mail to discuss.

Thanks,
Mike Barisonek
tel.: 1-817-721-6560 (cell)
barisonek1@att.net.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]


(Message sent Tue 16 Mar 2010, 13:34:11 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  FS, Model, Orchestrelle, Richard, Vance's, W

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