Hi GP,
Fantastic piano my friend!!! Looks, sounds and performs impeccably. Randy did an amazing job. You must be so thrilled to finally have it. I really enjoyed your visit earlier this year, and, as a fellow Mason owner, I know how much joy this piano will bring you in the years to come. Enjoy!!
All the best,
Dan

Wow, Grandpianoman, thanks for all this! I have not downloaded the music files yet, but love the photos.

One very interesting thing about your RBB is that, judging from the first two photos, the Ampico system was accommodated without M&H having to lengthen the keys and fore-part of the piano.

In most of the player pianos I've seen, there is a longer front section than on a standard piano, and the pinblock is situated further back. Or is this a difference between the Ampico and Duo-Art systems?

This ought to give you an advantage in that for your own playing, you are working with a standard action geometry.

Very good observation, Joe.

Correct, Ampico systems were underneath the keybed, whereas much of the Duo-Art mechanism is in front of the action stack--thus requiring the longer keys, and making it a pain in the next to pull out the action for basic service.

Thanks Dan...it's a great piano, and with both machines in there, it's quite something.

Realplayer, as Rich said, M&Hamlin did not have to change the geometry of the action to accommodate the Ampico...it does make it nice to have a normal keyboard, although I let the machines do most of the playing.

Lilylady, if the upright was an Ampico upright, yes, the rolls I have would have worked, but most of the uprights used what they called an 88 note piano roll...it had no expression and was very mechanical sounding compared to the Ampico. When I have time, I have an "Ampico demonstration roll" that shows the difference between an Ampico and an 88 note roll...it's like night and day. The only problem is the roll is heavily damaged at the end, so I have to see if I can repair it before I can record it and post it here. You won't believe the difference!

Turin, thanks! Glad everyone has enjoyed the pics and recordings. When I have more time and the piano has acclimated to the Oregon climate, I am going to do a good tuning and do some more recording and will post them here.

The Brodmann Piano Group should be releasing their Stahnke LX system called the "Concerto" fairly soon. It should be an incredible sounding piano!

grandpianoman, that is interesting information. There is no way to duplicate this sound with a stereo system so I can see why a player is a very special thing. Thanks for the info, I will read up on it.