Mallette Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 OK, unfair...but it IS a music reproduction device! Took delivery of our 1928 Marshall & Wendell AMPICO player piano today at the future home of the Regional Music Heritage Center. She's a beaut, and in prime condition. If you have Facebook access you can see the delivery video here. We had a power drop installed today and hope to have power available tomorrow PM or Wednesday. Cannot WAIT to hear it! So many great AMPICO rolls, which was one of the most sophisticated and accurate systems ever built. We got over a 100 rolls, mostly AMPICO, with it. It has full dynamic and pedal control, auto replay and auto rewind, and mixes martinis. We are going to have it playing with the doors open on Friday and Saturday for the Texarkana Railfest which will draw thousands downtown. Bit of "see and be heard" for us. We are making really great progress and are shooting to be open by next spring. Dave 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 Clueless as to why the roll pictures are rotated. Checked in several apps and they are verticals. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Clueless as to why the roll pictures are rotated I have the same experience. No clue why it happens some of the time but not always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 It has full dynamic and pedal control, auto replay and auto rewind, and mixes martinis. Gin or vodka? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 Gin or vodka? Yes Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Gotta love those player pianos, especially when they are properly rebuilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 (edited) So very very jealous... a player piano or other mechanized instrument(s) is very high on my list. I like the mechanicals, but I do think these days one can purchase a digital unit. Now all you need is to source some reproduction Nancarrow rolls. Is it in tune and fully functional? Here is a fun thing to do when you get bored later, retune the piano in microtone scales and replay the same rolls... a retuned star spangled banner is truly awesome if done properly. Edited May 3, 2016 by Schu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 So very very jealous... a player piano or other mechanized instrument(s) is very high on my list. I like the mechanicals, but I do think these days one can purchase a digital unit. Now all you need is to source some reproduction Nancarrow rolls. Is it in tune and fully functional? Here is a fun thing to do when you get bored later, retune the piano in microtone scales and replay the same rolls... a retuned star spangled banner is truly awesome if done properly. Good stuff all, Schu! The digital units are far superior in cost effectiveness. Yamaha Disklavier is a great one...and it has an onboard synth that allows you to tune it anyway you want. Also, you can add synth to the real piano playback so as to do things like emulate the prepared Nancarrow pianos without having to doctor the hammers of a real one. However, there is nothing like watching the roll on a mechanical with all those Nancarrow notes streaming by for theater! The Nancarrow rolls are about 150.00 each and there are about 40. May acquire one or two, but the 6k to get the 40 or so that are available will be a second year fund raising project. It is not badly out of tune, and is totally functional and near "like new" mechanically. Got a clean bill of health from one the top experts in the nation on that. It's close enough that it will require only a single tuning. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woofers and Tweeters Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I was fortunate to grow up with a player piano and several dozen rolls in the house. WOW would it tax the legs. My dad has 3 players now, one with the electric vacuum system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woofers and Tweeters Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 That's a beautiful Piano Dave. If someone is looking to buy one, they are heavy or expensive to move, then will need to be tuned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungkiman Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 So very very jealous... a player piano or other mechanized instrument(s) is very high on my list. While not autonomous, I've always wanted a glass armonica. https://youtu.be/eQemvyyJ--g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 If someone is looking to buy one, they are heavy or expensive to move, then will need to be tuned. Heavier than a grand Steinway. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 We will have a power drop on at the RMHC future home where the piano is either tomorrow or the next day. First order of business will be to fire up the M&W AMPICO with "Cascades," composed and played by Scott Joplin on an AMPICO roll. I intend to video and upload it here. Watch for it. Won't be audiophile quality, but more than decent I hope. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woofers and Tweeters Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 If someone is looking to buy one, they are heavy or expensive to move, then will need to be tuned. Heavier than a grand Steinway. Dave Yep. A 6' (Baby) Grand only weighs ~ 600Lb and a 9' Concert Grand is close to 1000Lb. The old Upright Player here is right at 1000Lb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.