Around 40 years ago my player collection included two upright
spring-motor Melville Clark player pianos, one with a phonograph
so one could play QRS-RCA synchronized songs.  Also three grand
reproducers, oddly enough in matching walnut cases, one each for
Ampico, Duo-Art, and Welte Mignon.  Plus a huge, heavy upright (I
don't recall the maker) which could play 58-, 66- and 88-note rolls
with adapters for the pin-end and button-end piano and organ rolls.

Having seen what the 3-width roll player could do with piano and
organ rolls, I had the idea to obtain a good upright grand Welte
(probably the Red roll type for the wide spoolbox) which could be
altered to play both the standard width Mignon rolls and the wider
"Red Rolls" of which I had acquired a fairly large number in
anticipation.  I had worked out an arrangement with my friend Dave
Bowers for the instrument.

Although I advertised and spoke about it widely at MBS and AMICA
meets, I could not find any piano technician or restorer who would
undertake such a project, and during those years there were numerous
such geniuses around.  Most refused to say why, and a few just thought
it was sacrilege to bastardize a fine instrument in such a way.  All
it required was space for the second tracker bar and another bar with
T-joiners for each note.  I've long since sold off my collection, but
feel that if I had been able to work this out that would be the one
thing I would have kept with a reduced but fine collection of rolls.

I also unsuccessfully sought a roll-cutter who would convert 58- and
65-note rolls to 88 note, as there were many outstanding arrangements
on those early productions, especially many very early original rags,
of which I suspected many might have been cut by Scott Joplin.  Again,
no help.

I recall one 58-note roll which was the overture to "Flying Dutchman",
which in the 1950s was the theme music for Captain Video on the old
Dumont television network.  Once we had the front panel removed for
some servicing within the stack, during which time I played that roll
at a meeting of MBS members.  A bunch of us stood around awestruck,
watching how that stack did an incredible ballet dance to accommodate
the amazing arrangement, which on the roll looked to the eye looked
like fine lace.  Oh, what a shame that roll was not and is not
available on 88-note!

Thanks for the memories <sigh>!

Bestus to all from Lee Munsick