A week ago, on Monday, I had the opportunity to visit Mike Hanchett's
player piano workshop in Newton, Kansas.  He was re-commissioning a
barrel piano (no kidding!) and was very hospitable.  Several player
piano action stacks and various parts for players were on the floor
and elsewhere.  There were also three other player pianos in different
states of repair.  I believe a square grand piano was in the shop, as
well.

Mike's place was awesome and a big treat to see.  I was there to look
at an Aeolian player piano he said he would sell me for $100.  I played
several rolls of mine on it and it was wonderful.  I had never heard a
better player piano in person.  The unfortunate thing is, it looks like
I won't be able to obtain it due to my Dad's apparent disinterest in
anything related to heavy player pianos or the like.

Just this last Wednesday, I visited Mike's shop again, and he tested
the barrel piano, cranking the side crank and then letting the piano
play.  It sounded pretty bad.  He commented, "This probably sounds
a lot worse than that one," meaning the Aeolian.

Has anyone ever tried to use an orphaned working player action with
a companion electric keyboard?  I am thinking of trying this.

Luke Myers
ldmyers95@gmail.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]