First question: If I'm able to pick between a Hanchett made Tangley
calliope and a Miner made Tangley, what are your thoughts as to which
is a 'better' choice?  Also, what are the most important differences
between the two makers?

Second question: What are your experiences with MIDI in either of
these calliopes?

John King
Bowie, Maryland

 [ The difference is the maintainability. Miner Company LLC still makes
 [ and services the Miner Tangley Calliope, but replacement parts for
 [ the Mike Hanchett calliope are no longer available. See, e.g.,
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/200107/2001.07.11.11.html 
 [
 [ At https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXJSQvlNx9Q is a video by
 [ Iowa Public Television (from 1991?) about Dave Miner and Miner
 [ Manufacturing Company calliopes and other activities.
 [
 [ Proprietor Dave Miner passed away in 2008 at age 47. Dan Dohman,
 [ his former employee, now operates the successor firm. Ref.
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/201004/2010.04.26.01.html 
 [ and https://minercompany.com/ -- Robbie