The
www.amica.org AMICA Bulletin Volume 50, Number 4 Jul-Aug 2013 Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association
ISSN #1533-9726 The AMICA BulleTIN AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION
Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Visit the AMICA web site at: http://www.amica.org Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt group devot- to enter the “Members-Only” portal, ed to the restoration, distribution, research and enjoyment of Current User Name: AMICA automatic musical instruments. AMICA was founded in San Password: hotglue Francisco, California in 1963.
VOLUME 50, Number 4 July-August 2013 AMICA BULLETIN
FEATURES DEADLINES Ads and articles must be received nickel notes ...... by Matthew Jaro ...... on or before the 1st of these ODD 145 months:
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Bulletins will ordinarily be mailed in president’s Message...... 136 the 1st week of the even months, for editorial observations ...... 136 expected delivery mid-month. Letters ...... 137 Chapter news ...... 149 Terry Smythe 55 Rowand Avenue Chapter news (cont’d) ...... 157 Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 in the news ...... 165 204-832-3982 (email preferred) new Book ...... 168 [email protected] Web sites of interest ...... 169 our published heritage ...... 169 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES in Memoriam ...... 170 Membership Dues: ads ...... 173 USA Bulk Mail ...... $55.00 USA First Class ...... $70.00 Overseas ...... $70.00 Canada-Mexico ...... $65.00 Renewals – Additional $5.00 due if renewed past the Jan. 31 deadline Address changes and corrections Directory information updates Additional copies of Member Directory . . . $25.00 Single copies of back issues ($10.00 Front Cover: Demonstration Organ, by Matthew Jaro per issue – based upon availability)
Inside Front Cover: Angelus Ad, from Music Trades, 4 August 1923 Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirski Centerfold: Ampico promo, from Music Trades, 10 November 1923 416 Colfax Drive Outside Back Cover: Autopiano, from Kohler & Cambell catalog ~1920 San Jose, CA 95123-3403 408-227-9284 Inside back cover: Music Roll Suppliers [email protected] To ensure timely delivery of your BULLETIN, please allow 6-weeks advance notice of address changes.
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Entire contents © 2013 AMICA International Printed by Engler Printing Co., Fremont, OH • [email protected] 133 AMICA INTERNATIONAL - International Officers -
PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT EDITOR Tim Baxter John Motto-Ros Terry Smythe 939 Briarcliff Rd ne 110 allen Ranch Road 55 Rowand avenue atlanta, ga 30306-4664 sutter Creek, Ca 95685 Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2n6 404-377-1220 209-267-9252 204-832-3982 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER Alan Turner Joe Orens 148 kingsway avenue 8917 Wooden Bridge Road Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3M 0h1 potomac, MD 20854-2448 204-489-3075 301-340-6664 [email protected] [email protected]
SECRETARY MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Bob and Bonnie Gonzalez lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky 26 Foremast Cove 416 Colfax Drive Corte Madera, Ca 94925 san Jose, Ca 95123-3403 415-924-6834 408-227-9284 [email protected] [email protected]
- Committees -
AMICA ARCHIVES CONVENTION COORDINATOR Tom hutchinson Frank Nix 15361 hopper Road 6030 oakdale avenue sturgeon, Mo 65284 Woodland hills, Ca 91367 573-442-6675 818-884-6849 [email protected] [email protected]
AMICA MEMORIAL FUND AMICA Honor Roll Ray Dietz Thomas & Donna Stengel 1250 Lanier Road 46 Court st. Martinsville, va 24112-5212 Lancaster nY 14086-2302 276-638-8563 716-683-5309 [email protected] [email protected]
AUDIO-VISUAL & TECHNICAL WEBSITE MANAGER Karl ellison Vacant 6 Lions Lane salem, Ma 01970-1784 978-740-5680 [email protected]
134 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 AMICA INTERNATIONAL Chapter Officers
FOUNDING CHAPTER LADY LIBERTY ROCKY MOUNTAIN pres: John Ulrich - 510-223-9587
Affiliated Societies and Organizations
American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) Friends of Scott Joplin Northwest Player Piano Association president/Ceo – ken Double 1217 st. Croix Ct. everson Whittle, secretary 1815 DeFoors Walk, nW kirkwood, Mo 63122-2326 11 smiths Road, Darcy Lever, atlanta, ga 30318 website: http//stlouis.missouri.org/fsjoplin Bolton BL3 2pp, gt. Manchester, england ph: 404-790-5400 email: [email protected] home phone: 01204 529939 e-mail: [email protected] Business phone: 01772 208003 theatRe oRgan Co-editors – Mike Bryant and Don Feely International Piano Archives at Maryland email: [email protected] editorial office performing arts Library,University of Maryland 3111 ne 165th pl. 2511 Clarice smith performing arts Center Organ Historical Society vancouver, Wa 98682 College park, MD 20742 Rollin smith, editor, The Tracker phone: 206-619-6645 phone:301-405-9224 email: [email protected] e-Mail: [email protected] Fax: 301-314-7170 email: [email protected] Pianola Institute Associazione Italiana Musica Meccanica International Vintage Phono Clair Cavanagh, secretary villa silvia - via Lizzano, 1241 & Mechanical Music Society 43 great percy st., London WC1X 9Ra, england 47023 Cesena (FC), italy C.g. nijsen, secretaire general phone: 0039-547-323425 19 Mackaylaan Player Piano Group Fax: 0039-547-661264 5631 nM eindhoven, netherlands Duncan James (secretary), email: [email protected] 9 Christy avenue, Chelmsford, essex, Website: www.ammi-italia.com Musical Box Society of Great Britain CM1 2Bg, england. alison Biden e-mail: [email protected] Australian Collectors of Mechanical Musical st giles hilltop, northbrook Close Instruments Winchester, hants. Smithsonian Institution peter phillips - editor so23 0JR, Uk Division of Musical history 26 alice street email: [email protected] Washington, D.C. 20560 padstow, nsW 221, australia phone: (612) 9773-4734 Musical Box Society International Society For Self-Playing Musical Instruments email: [email protected] Rosanna harris, editor gesellschaft fur selbstspielende p.o. Box 111, Musikinstrumente (gsM) e.v. Netherlands Pianola Association Custer, sD 57730 Ralf smolne nederlandse pianola vereniging 605-673-3068 emmastr. 56 att. Jan van hulzen, Member of the Board email: [email protected] D-45130 essen, germany Chopinrode 25 phone: **49-201-784927 2717 Bh Zoetermeer, netherlands Netherlands Mechanical Organ Society-KDV Fax :**49-201-7266240 email: [email protected] a. t. Meijer email: [email protected] Wilgenstraat 24 Carousel Organ Association of America nL-4462 vs goes, netherlands editor/publisher: Ron Bopp (918) 527-0589 4725 Montrose Dr., Bradenton, FL, 34210 [email protected]
aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 135 President’s Message
i will have to keep this short as i am about to board the plane for our gala 50th anniversary in convention in the City by the Bay ! i cannot tell you how excited i am to come and see where it all began and to meet several of "the Founders" - still going strong, along with aMiCa itself, after so many years. Conventions are a heck of a lot of work, but indispensable to keeping us as a cohesive group over so many miles. if you were unable to make it to san Francisco, i know the Rocky Mountain Chapter has an amazing itinerary planned for Denver in 2014. For those of you i saw in san Francisco, i really enjoyed spending time with you. and, of course, it is a great honor to be your president as aMiCa passes this historic milestone. as always, please don't hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. see you in Denver in 2014! all the best, tim
Editorial Observations
aMiCa is enjoying its 50th birthday this year. in the 42 years i've been a member, i have seen membership grow and decline, and a never ending array of fine events, the quality of which does not seem to have been affected by shrinkage. Certainly the 25 conventions i've attended have all exceeded my expectations, each providing a fine opportunity to huddle with old friends, meet new members, and participate in ever more delightful events. the commit- ment and dedication of our members is very much appreciated. this issue of our aMiCa Bulletin contains an interesting array of excellent articles by and for our members. once again, Matthew Jaro this time provides us with a fascinating glimpse into the skill and creativity of Wagner Mello, a unique member of our collecting com- munity. We also have a rare, encouraging on-line debate into the restoration of mechanical musi- cal instruments in public places, via the magic and power of the internet as funneled through a sister organization, Mechanical Music Digest, provoked by Mikey Mills. and an abundance of Chapter Meeting reports provides us with an encouraging glimpse into the strength of aMiCa at our grassroots. one of aMiCa's major strengths is the breadth and quality of our ever expanding on-line research library. there was a time when research meant a personal trip to a research repository, all too often well beyond the resources of most members, myself included. in addition to 400+ issues of our aMiCa Bulletin now on-line, our research library now has within it in excess of 1,000 documents, making it an excellent resource. the magic and power of the internet makes it all possible and accessible to all mem- bers with a computer and 'net access. Research results in articles and books, a major backbone of aMiCa, all appreciated. as we launch into our next 50 years, a new cast of characters will emerge onto our world wide stage, each adding their lega- cy to aMiCa's rich history. Who knows what aMiCa will look like in its next life? Based on my past 42 years, i'm encouraged that aMiCa will continue to provide strong support to our community of lovers of mechanical musical instruments.
Regards, terry smythe [email protected]
136 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Letters
email from: John Mottoros
L to R: John Mottoros, Mark Forer, Robbie Rhodes, Monoca Jones, Rob Jones,David allen at recent meeting of music roll enthusiasts on June 14 at the sheraton Fairplex in pomona, Ca. Mark had a few good “a” rolls to recut, and David had a super “g” roll. Robbie Rhodes made this meeting possible by contacting all. nadine and i were in pomona for the La Roadster show. Monoca and Rob have a nelson Wiggen 4X, Mark owns a seeburg e with violin pipes, David has a seeburg C, and Robbie has several seeburgs. We were in very good company. our “short” lunch lasted several hours on the sheraton patio. Be sure to check out johhnysmusicrolls.com for these great new listings available in the near future. good music makes a happy home! email from Ron Reimann
i’m searching for my grandparents’ player piano from hill’s Café in Mcintosh, Minnesota. it was first offered for sale in an antique store in Mcintosh about 20-25 years ago, and sold to a dealer in or near pine City, Minnesota. i have no other identify- ing info.
Ronnald h Reimann, sr 6120 hadley avenue south Cottage grove, Mn 55016-1027 [email protected]
aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 137 email from Don Barton,
Me on the left.
138 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Ed Note: Mikey Mills recently posted a provocative statement on speaking of after the restoration, further maintenance MMD about restoring carousel organs in public places, resulting would hopefully be funded by the venue, as a restored music in numerous responses, all worthy of repeat... ts machine always brings in money if properly displayed, or more email from Mikey Mills aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 139 [email protected] (Cecil Dover) it's a great idea to want to have all those instruments subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs playing again, but as has been previously stated, if there's no one at the park with an interest in maintaining it, it will not be main- i would love to think that somehow a public effort to tained. and they _do_ require regular maintenance -- a little oil keep our few remaining band organs playing for all to hear would here, a screw tightened there, and don't forget tuning and clean- be possible. i think that for some reason i was born with a band ing tracker bars. Unless you're looking at converting them all to organ gene imbedded in my Dna. as a child growing up in the MiDi (which only eliminates the roll frame and cleaning the post-WW2 nineteen-forties and -fifties, and with visits to travel- tracker bar) somebody has to maintain them and change the rolls. ing carnivals, my first priority was to check out the merry-go- if you can fix that problem, you've got half the battle won, round. it was definitely not "merry" if it didn't have an organ, although, what happens when it does have a serious problem? and even when they didn't play well it was still wonderful music. even if you have someone at the park who's got a basic as a teenager i had the good fortune to become interest and some skills, are they going to know what to do to get acquainted with herbert vincent who did maintenance on the it playing again (reference the seabreeze incident) or who to call band organs that operated at the Ross Davis carousels at Lincoln to get it playing again? there are a couple of guys here that park and griffith park in Los angeles, and at Berkeley's tildon know the basics, but when the organ dies and i'm not here, guess park. he is the person who told me that the beautiful organ at who's cell phone is ringing? Long Beach's pike was a Ruth organ that had been converted to the park might accept someone "buying" the restoration play Wurlitzer music with dual roll frames, and he explained that (especially a smaller park) but that's just the beginning. they've was the reason it didn't sound quite right. got to be willing to maintain it (translated: $$$) and in today's as an adult, working on a project in new Jersey, i met tight economy that's a tough sell. the band organ of my dreams with a Ruth 38 that was almost if somebody wants to try it, i wish them all the luck in identical to the one in Long Beach and it was in top playing con- the world. heck, i'd even help out if the place was close enough. dition still using, at that time, the original book music. What a Unfortunately, the CD/Mp3 is a lot cheaper and easier to main- magnificent sound! as a child seeing the organ at the pike in tain. Long Beach was almost a religious experience and the facade always reminded me of an alter with the angels and cupids play- Rich Sitler - hersheypark, hershey entertainment & Resorts ing the tympani, no wonder it had a religious connotation. hershey, pennsylvania i feel very fortunate that i live close enough to griffith http://www.hersheypark.com/ park that i can drop in to see and hear the magnificent Wurlitzer ++++++++++++++ repro by stinson organs when i need to "get my fix". From: [email protected] (Roger Wiegand) Cecil Dover subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs Los angeles Rather than add to the nay-saying in response to Mikey ++++++++++++ Mill's enthusiastic proposal, i would suggest a slight change in From: [email protected] (Rich Sitler) focus that could help to solve many of the very real issues that others have brought up. subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs instead of trying to get a recalcitrant commercial organi- speaking as one of the guys who maintains the band zation like Cedar Fair to become responsive i'd suggest instead organ at a "corporate" park (albeit a very small one), i can com- focusing such an effort on one of the many publicly or charitable ment to this topic. i am fortunate in that, to date at least, man- organization owned organs where the owners might be much agement has continued to have an interest in keeping our more receptive (indeed, enthusiastic!) about such a donation, carousel organ playing. the Wurlitzer 153 organ was restored by where lack of funds rather than lack of will or interest is really Mike kitner in 1975 and has finally worn out that restoration. the limiting factor in having a great instrument on a carousel. Bill Black had been continuing maintenance on it up until a year i'd also suggest that even some of us old-timers know or two ago. about and like kickstarter -- there's no reason to limit fundraising i was fortunate that almost 40 years ago Bill and i con- to that venue, but no reason to ignore it, either. stranger things nected and he taught me most everything he knows. the park is have happened than getting a younger, hipper crowd interested in fortunate that 13 years ago i came on board as an electrician, and mechanical organs. the steampunk community in particular the official band organ guy. We've rebuilt a number of parts over could be a rich source of new interest. the years, but it's time for a full restoration. i've arranged for the Roger Wiegand rebuild this winter. hopefully, management will approve the http://www.carouselorgan.com/ funds and it'll be playing like new next year. ------our park is steeped in tradition (translated: that's the way we've always done it!) so i have it easier than others. in From: [email protected] (Jack Breen) addition, they (the park) are fortunate to have me, a mechanical subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs music enthusiast for over 40 years. Most parks don't have this, i have been reading this thread, started by Mikey Mills, and want and i can pretty much guarantee that if i didn't work here, and to put a different perspective on it. i will intentionally leave the Bill didn't do the maintenance all those years for free, there identity of every individual and organization out of the discus- would be a CD/Mp3 player and a couple of Musicaster speakers sion for obvious reasons. parked where the organ should be. 140 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 a few years ago, i followed with interest the complete From: [email protected] (Mike Schoeppner) ground-up restoration of a carousel organ in new england. the subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs park owners wanted to have the organ in top operating condition. to make the organ easier to operate, they included the installa- another point Mikey Mills made was to "have local tion of a MiDi system in addition to the restoration of the roll restorers maintain the organs." Where you are, Mikey, this might feeder. since the restorer had little or no experience with MiDi, i be a possibility, but please send in the names of local restorers in helped out as an unpaid consultant on that aspect of the project. kansas City, topeka, Leavenworth, abilene, Chattanooga, etc, the organ went through a thorough and complete etc. each of these cities has a beautiful organ they try to keep in restoration, the hunt MiDi system functioned flawlessly and good repair, and they do the best they can, but... everyone was very impressed with the performance of the "Worlds of Fun" amusement park in kansas City machine. it had been a very long time since it had sounded so (owned by Cedar Fair, by the way) actually shipped their stinson good! i also converted all of the parks rolls to MiDi files for my band organ back to the factory for maintenance, but nobody standard conversion fee and life was good. should believe this is a viable solution to the long-term care. other than at the initial unveiling and an occasional spe- the owners of Lake Winnepesaukah amusement park cial event, the organ stands silently in the middle of the carousel. near Chattanooga, tennessee, have a wonderful Ruth 33 fair in its place is a boom box playing (weakly) some recorded organ that they keep playing on their carousel, but the man who carousel organ music. a person (or persons) of influence have maintains it lives 480 miles away! decided that the organ was too loud and would "hurt the chil- Mike Schoeppner dren's ears". +++++++++++ hopefully, this is an unusual story. the owners had decided on their own that the organ needed a full restoration, From: [email protected] (T. J. Fisher) raised their own money to have the work properly done, recog- subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs nized the advantages of installing a MiDi system and so on, yet "adopt an instrument" the organ sits silently. as we all know, a restoration is at its peak i admire Mikey Mills' enthusiasm, but this idea, and i the day it is completed and the countdown clock starts on that hope he will forgive me, strikes me as unlikely to be successful. day toward the next restoration (possibly decades away). Just it is important to bring up such ideas, however, because there think about how much more likely the scenario would be if the must be something to do for the lack of interest in mechanical owners did not have any skin in the game. music today, and perhaps discussion will lead us to that. Jack Breen First, if indeed fundraising is the way to go, kickstarter southborough, Massachusetts would be the wrong place to go, in my opinion. We know that +++++++++++++++++++ our hobby skews older, and kickstarter skews younger. perhaps, one could say, some interest might be stimulated on that web site From:[email protected](Stephen Kent Goodman) and non-enthusiasts would donate. the restorations of these subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs instruments are, however, expensive propositions, frankly costing too much for it to be likely that enough donations could be i personally believe that one of the great goals defined solicited on kickstarter from neophytes or dabblers. by major collector organizations of automatic musical instru- More prudent fundraising might be through individuals ments should be educational out-reach; in this case, a reaching established in the field. kickstarter campaigns are also rarely out to the various committees and boards that are responsible for successful without concrete goals and timelines: a speculative the maintenance and upkeep of municipal and state parks where campaign without so much as an agreement from Cedar Fair or band organs are located. the historical and cultural (not to men- any other organization to restore an instrument if enough was tion monetary) value of this instruments cannot be emphasized raised would be more likely to attract the scrutiny or disdain of enough- especially to those who simply are ignorant of these potential backers than their funds. facts. second, Mikey asks rhetorically, "Could a place refuse and this outreach should extend to the custodians of to accept money to restore their historic music machines?" You instruments found in any public museum or historic structure, bet your life they could, for any of several reasons. they may such as the virginia City Museum and the like. only by an simply be uncomfortable accepting money from someone who is aggressive and vigorous specifically dedicated campaign, well unknown to them. they may not wish to have an instrument organized and planned with appropriate audio/visual materials, restored which they may not have money to keep restored in the can the importance of assigning value to these instruments be future. they may even just be uninterested in coordinating a pro- realized. ject like the restoration of a band organ no matter whether it is these organizations must do more than they are doing paid for or not. currently to accomplish this educational outreach, assigning this Mikey writes that "restored music machine always outreach at least the same level of priority as they do with their brings in money," but this will not seem to be the case to the own conventions. Cedar Fair people. those parks charge an admission fee at the Stephen Kent Goodman gate and no further charge for any ride, so while i suppose an professional player piano & nickelodeon Restoration argument could be made that a properly functioning band organ tarpey village (Fresno/Clovis) California, Usa will make patrons happier and they will then spend more money http://www.mechanicalmusicrestoration.com/ on concessions or have more favorable reviews for the park or aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 141 something like that, the Cedar Fair people could care less about Fair. it is, i think, timely and apropos of Mikey Mills' lament in that that. they would not be so easily convinced that they should the 13.06.23 MMD, "Restore north america's Carousel organs." accept a donation to restore a band organ. sunday night, a little after nine p.m., i was in bed when third, Mikey writes of few people going wild about i got a phone call from seabreeze park that the band organ was band organs or similar instruments merely from Youtube videos, down and that i should come in as soon as possible to look at it. for people need to see "the music roll run and the percussion Monday morning, just 12 hours later, i went in and checked with move." i accept this basic premise, with the caveat that some management to learn that the organ wasn't switching rolls from Youtube videos do excellently show exactly how an instrument one tracker frame to the other, so they had shut down the ride just works and may bee good teaching tools. in fact, a major problem before park closing sunday. i have with Mikey's proposal is that it fails to address how to My examination showed a worn gear in the gear train teach park patrons about the instruments. that wouldn't engage with its mate when maximum torque was i am keenly aware from my work at glen echo park that needed to accomplish the linkage changeover: the gearing simply many patrons are thoroughly convinced that behind our band stalled, slipped, and chattered. a call then went out to the park's organ's case is just a pair of loudspeakers hooked up to a stereo electrician, terry Furlong. he and his assistant did enough dis- audio system. those who know better than that still often know mantling of the roll frame to remove the gears that were causing very little about how the instrument works. the problem. i created pamphlets and signage to tell of the organ at in the meantime, knowing that we wouldn't have real glen echo, and a window on the back of the organ house makes band organ music when the carousel opened for business at 11 it easy for the public to see the roll frames. how would we make a.m. that day, and that the organ would probably be down for the certain that the public is informed about these instruments to be rest of Monday too, the computer tech department set up a CD restored? this should be near the top of the list of priorities player and loudspeaker system to provide recorded band organ given how poorly informed the public generally is about mechan- music -- better than nothing. ical music. our hobby will die if we don't teach new folks about i went home for the rest of Monday while Dean shorey, why they should care. the park's head mechanic, found a usable gear from salvage parts Fourth, and most basically, it seems incredibly foolish to of the old band organ and machined it to work on the new organ. pay to have a band organ restored and then turn it back over to a this morning, tuesday, at 8:30 a.m., i got a phone call to come company which has shown no interest in its maintenance in the down to the park and get the organ ready to play at the 11 a.m. past without having been given any sort of commitment from that opening, because it was fixed. company that they will keep it playing. the best approach is not total down time: one day. number of people involved to come to the table as a third party with money, restore a band in the fix: six or seven. Why? purely because a carousel with an organ, and slip off into the night. operating band organ is part of the seabreeze tradition. as i see it, the best approach is to kindly and respectful- Matthew Caulfield ly, but doggedly, engage in dialogue with the homes of instru- irondequoit, new York ments that are no longer playing, explaining why this should be rectified and why that rectification would provide benefits to [ Matthew looks after the replica Wurlitzer band organ, built by [ those businesses, and then to be able to provide technical support Johnny Verbeeck, that makes the music for the carousel at when the organ starts to operate. it is long, tiring work, but i am Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester, New York, visit glad to continue to devote myself to it. http://seabreeze.com/ A recent article tells about his work as the park archivist, see [ http://tinyurl.com/nfnyefl -- Robbie] perhaps an advocacy board could be composed with the purpose of contacting these businesses and opening dialogues. it ++++++++++++ is likely that one of these businesses would allow an individual From: [email protected] (Alan erb) or group to inspect their roles given the right motivation, and continuing discussions could lead to instruments being restored. subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs i appreciate the frustration caused by many languishing Band organs in public performance instruments. it really drives me mad! however, we must adopt times change, and with it interests and tastes change. more reasoned approaches if we ever hope to change this. Can i expect most young people to enjoy the band organ music Respectfully, that i love, even if it is a wonderfully proper sounding instru- TJ Fisher ment? i am convinced that i can't. [During the summer months TJ Fisher operates and maintains Folks come by and i play band organs. i see enthusiasm the Dentzel carousel and Wurlitzer band organ at Glen Echo Park and smiles from some of the old folks, less interest from the in Maryland, see http://www.glenechopark.org/ -- Robbie] younger set, and perhaps a few yawns from young people as they +++++++++++++ text away. perhaps this is a cycle. a few decades ago the value of Model a Fords dropped precipitously, but now have recov- From: [email protected] (Matthew Caulfield) ered. interest in 1960s muscle cars has possibly peaked. subject: Seabreeze Park Band Organ Is Quickly Repaired i have restored organs for commercial use. in each case there was one individual affiliated with an organization with a this chain of events over the last two days will illustrate high interest in their band organ. in each case that person the difference in approach to band organ maintenance between a searched out a restorer, and enthusiastically pushed, and set traditional family-owned amusement park like knoebels or restoration in motion. seabreeze and a corporate park like the ones operated by Cedar 142 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 now here is the kicker: in each case -- due to changes in dentally, the recorded music at one of these carousels is usually ownership, changes in management (including turning it over to played at quite a low volume, while another had no music at all an outside manager), promotion or retirement of the originally when i visited recently, which was quite sad.) vested individual -- the organs rarely get played and rarely get the factor of building acoustics should probably be even the most rudimentary maintenance. mentioned. Most recently-built carousel buildings have a lot of the reasons are consistent with what others have writ- glass and steel with little, if any, absorbent materials. operators ten: the music is too loud, the operator says the music is too loud, might find playing the organs to be more palatable in old-style the operator or somebody wants the organ to play rap, the organ wooden buildings (although one of the above examples is an old doesn't play (which it does), et cetera, et cetera. wooden building). i see a reality of just a handful of carousels with proper- then there are parks at the other end of the spectrum ly functioning organs, working as originally built, and being run (which i will name). it was heartening to read Matthew that way perhaps one day a week, or one evening a week (with Caulfield's post in the 130625 MMD about how quickly the band publicity of this), and those and other carousels being typically organ at seabreeze park, Rochester, new York, was recently operated to suit the owners (and owners' pocketbooks), patrons, repaired. the fact that the park chose to shut down the carousel and operators as they are now. early rather than run in silence (before resorting to recorded as they say, You can lead a horse to water but you can’t music for just one day) keenly illustrates their awareness of the make him drink, nor can you dictate peoples’ tastes and prefer- importance of real band organ music. ences, even when you have what is to you and fellow collectors it was also encouraging to read in the same MMDigest of similar interests, a fantastic thing to sell. of t. J. Fisher's efforts to educate visitors about the organ at glen i was told by the concessionaire that an organ i restored, echo park, near Washington, D.C. a couple of years ago, as i did not play. i switched it on (i expected a stuck note or some- recall, the glen echo carousel also used recorded music for a thing), and remarkably it played well. i was surprised because brief time while the organ was down. Both of these parks would this was after 5 years or so with no professional maintenance. resort to recordings only as a last resort, not because employees the next storey i got was that it was too loud for the don't want to hear the organ. operator. i had set it up to play on ~8” water(lowers volume w/o knoebels (elysburg, pennsylvania), which has rightly significant loss of bass and without pipe modification), as been referenced as a shining example of the use of band organs, opposed to 9 ½” or so which was original. even has backup organs at the park. i was struck by the fact that i have organs to sell and i fear i can get only a small at Rye playland, Rye, new York, carousel operators requested part of return on investment. Doesn’t that say quite a bit? i have that a specific roll be added to the park's collection (as referenced organs which are original to two operating carousels. i have in the 130613 MMD). another promising story of late is the in- talked to folks who should be interested but have found no inter- house repair of the organ at Casino pier, seaside heights, new est whatsoever in reuniting the “voice” to the merry go round. Jersey, which is now playing for carousel riders for the first time since 2008. Alan erb - engineer/Restorer the question is, what needs to happen so there are more http://mechanicalmusicbox.com/ examples like the second group here and less like the first? the only answer i have come up with pertaining to the first group is ++++++++++++++++ to pester the people in charge until, hopefully, the organs are played. it's been said before, but a carousel needs operators who From: [email protected] (Dan Robinson) enjoy the band organ or at least accept that it is part of the job if subject: Restore North America's Carousel Organs visitors are going to get the whole experience. Rich sitler made the important point in the 130627 in his post in the 130626 MMD about a new england MMD that for an organ to be used long-term, even one that plays carousel organ that was restored and then not used, Jack Breen by MiDi, a park needs to have someone relatively nearby or on raised an important question: after an organ is restored, will it staff who can maintain and repair it. in the same MMD, Cecil actually be played? Dover mentioned that he feels fortunate to live close enough to Jack wrote, "hopefully, this is an unusual story." Unfor- griffith park (Los angeles) that he can stop by to get his "fix" tunately, it is not unusual. Like Jack, i will not name specific there. i feel similarly fortunate to live near seabreeze so i can do places here. the same. a carousel near me has had a very spotty record of play- ing its organ since its restoration and MiDi conversion. another Dan Robinson - longtime seabreeze season pass-holder nearby had a new organ upon opening, but that organ, i believe, Rochester, new York has barely been used, even after MiDi was added. at a carousel +++++++++++++ a couple of hours away, the recently rebuilt organ is only played [email protected] (Mikey Mills) by request. and a recently reopened carousel with a restored and MiDi-fied organ has opted for recorded music some of the time, subject: Restore America's Music Machines although that park has posted on their Facebook page that the hi, i've thoroughly read each of the responses to my organ will be played during carousel rides (as opposed to contin- program i am hoping to launch, both positive, and negative, and i uously, which is an acceptable compromise, in my opinion). hope i can explain in more detail on some things that were ques- in all of these cases, i believe, the operators simply tioned. one thing that was brought up was kickstarter, why use found the organs to be louder than they were expecting. (inci- that? aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 143 kickstarter is a very visual and interactive fundraising instrument won't need something like that for years. often, when program, and it shows how much money has been raised, and is a music machine stops playing, it's something simple like 'the updated in real time, unlike a 'donate' button on a web site, which rolls won't switch over', or i've even seen a case where the instru- is pretty much just a donate button. ment simply wasn't plugged in properly. kickstarter also allows for easy benefits for backers, But really, chances are, once the park gets back their such as, an '$100 donation could get you to hear the instrument restored instrument, it will get paid maintenance. these aren't after being restored', or 'a $20 donation will get you a CD' etc. just 'junk', and once the parks realize that, they will put money kickstarter also allows for stretch goals, like if '$1000 more than into it, and a few thousand each year on an instrument is nothing the original goal is raised, 10 new rolls are purchased'. compared to tens of thousands to restore it. other fundraising programs do not have all these bene- also, people questioned if the instruments would actual- fits, and if funding is unsuccessful the first time, everyone is ly be played. there are very few amusement parks that simply completely refunded their money. 'don't play their band organs'. Museums and public parks do this another thing everyone said, although i briefly dis- due to terrible acoustics in an 'all glass', or 'all metal' building cussed this, is future maintenance. true, a location could go reflecting the sound, but amusement parks generally want the back to their 'old ways', but i've come up with some ways to band organ to be loud, as they want people to hear the band organ avoid this: from a distance and ride the carousel! an outside, un-enclosed 1. CDs -- i would be willing to record CDs for the building usually does wonders for the band organ, and people parks/locations to sell in their gift shops, and also through just want to ride it, nobody complains, because the acoustics are mechanicalmusic.org, all profits going to the future maintenance fine! of the instruments. to reiterate again on keeping them playing, when the 2. Coin operation -- although it was implied that this parks see the increase on attendance to the carousel, they would- was strictly for band organs, that was not the case. a properly n't want to decrease the ride's popularity! displayed nickelodeon can really make money! the real key of course is to make it known that a coin slot is there, as some peo- Mikey Mills ple would just assume it's a 'fancy piano', and it would be good to http://www.mechanicalmusic.org/ make a sign saying 'insert coin to play a song' or something like that. For band organs, Wurlitzer has a 'coin trip' at the end of any Ed Note: Much of what Mikey and others have discussed can be song to allow for coin operation, but a coin operated band organ applied to most any instrument in a public place, and is not unlike on a carousel in my opinion is slightly odd. what the ATOS (American Theatre Organ Society) has developed 3. volunteer Work -- My local amusement park, kings over many years, whereby local Chapters maintain a public the- island, is close enough that i could go there once a week to atre organ, or even commit to restoration. A model perhaps worth emulating. change rolls, clean out the tracker bars, or even tune it. (Yes, i do Reprinted here with permission from MMD Editor and individual know how!) sure, i won't be planning on re-leathering the participants. ts pumps or rebuilding the crank shaft, but a properly restored This is a typical carousel organ, a Wurlitzer 153B, installed within the carousel in the Lake Compounce entertainment park in Bristol, CT. It was refurbed in 2003, but is once again in need of attention. 144 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Nickel Notes by Matthew Jaro in previous editions of Nickel Notes we have visited John Smith universal 26 Note Matthew Jaro restorers and collectors. this time we visit an extraordinary Organ and Other Projects craftsman who built all of his instruments either from plans or even though Wagner had plans for these organs, he re- from scratch – with a precision that is nothing short of amazing. drew all of the plans and details using a Computer-aided Design he even built many of his own machine tools for building the (CaD) system, so he would be sure to know exactly how each instruments. i am speaking element worked. this is about Wagner Mello who especially true for small lives with his wife Rosanete parts or assemblies: design or “nete” and grown-up first, and then cut. Brass children in suburban north- ornaments were cut using a ern virginia, near Washing- numerically-controlled ton, D.C. milling machine. the 26 note organ was built in Beginnings 2007. Wagner added a rank as usual, i began of bells to the organ. also in by asking Wagner where he 2007, Wagner built a roll perforator for making rolls was born and how he got for the busker organs. the started in mechanical music. perforator is controlled by he said, “i was born in numerical control software Brazil sometime in the last on a personal computer. a century”. Wagner’s parents particular problem was were very fond of the com- keeping the dies sharp. after poser Richard Wagner, the organ was completed, hence his name. Wagner and Wagner converted a Cun- his family moved to the ningham player piano to be U.s. in 1999 transferring Wagner Mello controlled by MiDi. this with his company. Wagner was in 2008. still works for the same company providing engineering services, next Wagner made a MiDi-controlled accordion with products and professional consulting for the wireless communi- 64 notes (2009). this was a very complex undertaking. he cation industry. We had a great talk about programming (espe- included a pressure gauge in order to be able to adjust the pres- cially as it used to be in the good old days). sure properly. Current projects include a numerically controlled Wagner got started in mechanical music via woodwork- router and an indexer which can turn a chuck a precise number of ing. he made small furniture items, like small tables or desks. degrees at a time for making precision gears. next he got interested in clocks because that would add an ele- ment of motion to his creations. From clocks, Wagner said it’s Crank Melodica (37 notes) only a logical step to start building organs. When he was young, the Crank Melodica was made without plans in 2010. Wagner would see barrel organs in Brazil. he looked for a long Wagner had to calculate the area of the small bellows carefully to time in order to find plans to build an organ. he had no idea how provide enough power to lift the melodica keys with the pressure the mechanisms worked. he finally got a set of plans from John that would be used. the same pressure that actuates the valves smith (www.johnsmithbusker.co.uk/?). the plans were designed mechanically also plays the reeds. the pressure cannot be too to be made by people with limited experience and hardware store great or the reeds will be out of tune. For those that don’t know, a parts, but of course, Wagner went beyond that. there is a wide melodica is a wind instrument with a small keyboard controlling range of materials that can be used in construction, from balsa a row of reeds and a mouthpiece at one end. a standard Melodi- wood which can be cut with a knife to hard woods which require ca is pictured.even apparently simple things like the engraving of saws. John smith suggested using pvC pipe for the spools, but the “g clef” in the glass presented many challenges. First, Wagn- Wagner made his out of wood. Wagner built the 20 note busker er tried to acid-etch the glass, with a technique similar to silk- organ in 2006. this organ took six months to build. screening but this was a mess and after spending a lot of time and money, he had to abandon this line. Finally, he cut a stencil, and blasted the glass with sand. he said, the acid was nasty and did- n’t work. aMiCa Bulletin - May/Jun 2013 145 unit that allows one to select and play musical pieces. the harp- sichord can also be played manually with no interference. this project was complete in 2012. For those interested in seeing more pictures, the follow- Wagner’s roll playing ing sources are available: Melodica Busker: http://tinyurl.com/qdpb79l Busker: http://tinyurl.com/pe7gatb organ26: http://tinyurl.com/oa5mjr5 puncher: http://tinyurl.com/qxnp4ek piano: http://tinyurl.com/nh6827h Demo organ: http://tinyurl.com/nqeo45g harpsichord: http://tinyurl.com/q7wyfp6 Melodica: http://tinyurl.com/q3juec8 organ64: http://tinyurl.com/mdpvspw Standard accordion: http://tinyurl.com/mh8moe5 Melodica. extra: http://tinyurl.com/l97zc58 Don’t forget to look for Flpbusker on youtube.com after Wagner made the two organs, he wanted to http://tinyurl.com/kc2rug5 demonstrate them and he found out about MBsi’s yearly visit to Wagner Mello can be reached at the C&o canal to hold a crank organ rally. he found out about [email protected] MBsi from their website. hopefully, aMiCa can pick up new Matt Jaro can be reached at members in the same way. [email protected] in talking about machines, Wagner said that he wasn’t really a collector, but a builder. he commented that Dick hack as always, comments, questions or suggestions are has the most beautiful machine ever built – the hupfeld phono- appreciated. liszt violina. The Demo Organ in 2011 Wagner decided to construct a demonstration organ made out of clear acrylic so one can see what happens internally when an organ plays. it is roll operated and has twenty notes. it is truly a wonderful machine and the pictures don’t do it justice. if you search for FlpBusker on youtube.com, you can Midi-controlled hear the demo organ in action as well as the other instruments Harpsichord mentioned here. and its controller. MIDI-Controlled harpsichord Wagner bought a standard ammer harpsichord made in germany and added a rank of solenoids to actuate the harpsi- chord jacks. again, the precision is amazing. he added a control 146 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Organ Roll Punch System. Midi controlled accordion. Wagner’s workbench. John Smith 26 note Universal Organ. A small portion of Wagner’s tool collection. aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 147 John Smith 20 note busker organ. Interior of the 26 note universal organ, An example of Wagner’s inlay work. Test bench for indexer. A portion of the Melodica pneumatic mechanism. A portion of the solenoid rail for the midi controlled harpsichord. 148 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Chapter News Boston Area Chapter 1970’s Marantz piano with pianocorder mechanism president – kirk Russell 1932 aeolian grand organ Reporter – phyllis konop one large barrel piano photographers – phyllis konop and Bill koenigsberg one small tavern barrel piano one 15 ½” Regina disk music box on May 19 we traveled to nashua, nh to the home of Coinola ‘o’ orchestrion Owen and Ginger Christiansen. various small roller organs i asked owen how he became interested in collecting these instruments. in the mid 60’s he and ginger were with friends visiting a place in san pedro, California called ports ‘o’ Call and he heard a music box playing in a clock shop. he had never heard one like this and studied it for quite a while and the owner came over and showed him how it worked. a short time later while on a service call to england for his employer he found a 19 1/8” symphonium upright box that was almost a basket case. he had no money at the time so his boss sent money so he could buy it. it was shipped to his company in California. since the boss paid for it, it belonged to the boss who paid owen to get it going. Worms had devoured the case so owen made a new one. the peripheral drive holes and the projections on the 3 discs were quite rusted away. somehow he learned about hathaway & Bow- ers in santa Fe springs, California, maybe 40 miles away so he visited them. they had some discs that owen could copy, provid- ed he gave them a copy also. so several discs were made for both parties. Being newly married he had no money to buy instru- ments from h & B but they did have a collection of paper roll organs that had been in a flood so lots of pieces. that pile of pieces became the start of the Christiansen collection. someone told owen and ginger about MBsi so they began to meet others that collected mechanical music instru- ments. owen at that time was one of only two people making discs. he made some money repairing other people’s instruments and slowly added to his collection. they moved to new hamp- shire in 1973 and didn’t let on that he repaired instruments so he Our hosts, Ginger and Owen Christiansen. had some time to work on his own collection. as members arrived, social hour began with refresh- over the years they have added a number of instruments ments and checking out items which were brought for show-and- but never had the room to properly rebuild or display what they tell and sale. have and about the only time the instruments get played is when During our business meeting Dorothy Bromage who they have company. they have met several life long friends via lives in Billerica, Ma shared with us a 15 minute video which our local aMiCa chapter and are looking forward to some trav- was produced by the Billerica access television. a reporter had eling now that they are both retired. visited her home and took a lot of film of her collection. Featured were her pianos and her parlor organ. on the film she explains about reproducing pianos and talks about collecting automatic Phyllis musical instruments. this is a great way to get information out to Konop the public about our organization and love of these instruments. at the Following the meeting folks enjoyed seeing and hearing Chickering Ampico A the Christiansen collection which consists of the following: baby grand. 1925 Chickering baby grand with ampico a mechanism 1891 46 note aeolian player organ aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 149 Dorothy Bromage participating in the business meeting, later projecting her 15 minutes of fame on local TV. Jack Breen, Tom Ahearn, Ginger Christiansen, Pat Lavacchia and Allan Jayne. Hostess Ginger Christiansen & Pat Lavacchia Joe Lavacchia trying the Aeolian organ. Russell Kirk viewing the model car Joe and collection, Pat Steve Lavacchia. Buckman, and Owen Christiansen demonstrat- ing the Pianocorder . 150 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Heart of America Chapter Northern Lights Chapter president - Bob stout president: paul Watkins Reporter/photographer - Dan Davis Reporter: Jerrilynn Boehland on June first, members of the kansas City heart of the northern Lights Chapter headed for glenville in america aMiCa joined the kansas City Ragtime Revelry at the southern Minnesota to the home of Kiven and Cheryl lukes home of Doug and Barbara Cusick. Frederick hodges of saturday May 18, 2013 for our spring meeting. this was a joint Berkeley, California entertained with a varied program of classi- aMiCa & MBsi event. cal, popular and ragtime numbers. While in the midwest, Freder- since our last visit to kiven and Cheryl’s lovely home, ick also performed at the scott Joplin festival in sedalia, Mis- they have added a 55 x 60 foot music hall to house their ever- souri and at the Missouri theatre in Columbia, combining his tal- expanding collection. ents with Jelani eddington on the theatre pipe organ. at the Cusick's, Frederick played his concert on a 1921 hamburg germany steinway piano previously in the collection of Mike ames in san Diego. Following the concert, Doug demonstrated many of his fine instruments. after a business meeting, all enjoyed delicious refreshments provided by the Cusick's. Our host, Kiven Lukes, and his powerful fairground organ. We spent the first two hours listening to music as kiven demonstrated their impeccably restored instruments in both the hall and home. afterwards we held our respective chapter meetings. our short aMiCa meeting included up-coming events, changes in chapter officers and the near completion of a chapter museum instrument project headed by Don Barton. kiven had requested members bring a small item for a “show & tell” table. so, next we enjoyed short talks and demonstrations of small instruments, books, special rolls and other items of interest. With two different chapters present, we Our hosts, Barbara and Doug Cusick. had a variety of presentations. kiven and Cheryl are pork producers so we were treated to a delicious “home-cooked” barbecued pork rib dinner. What a special day it was for our chapter! Many thanks to our hosts for a day we will long remember. Frederick Hodges at the 1921 Hamburg Steinway. Kiven demonstrates his 1925 Steinway XR Duo-Art aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 151 Kiven showing off the inside of his Seeburg KT. Kiven explains his big upright Polyphon music box. Show & Kiven with Tell’ with his parents Tom Dale & Wurdeman Elaine and Don Cunderla. Exhibition building at Kiven & Cheryl Lukes home. 152 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 153 154 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 155 156 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Paul Watkins and his sister Ruth show their childhood Thorens disc music box. Terry Goepel shows his Gulbranson salesman’s sample action. Kiven demonstrating his c.1920 Weber Unika. aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 157 there were many floor radios and phonographs to amuse and Texas Chapter provide background music as the day turned from extreme show- president - Rich Clayton and-tell to subdued sit-and-relax-so-well. then to everyone’s Report/photographer - ken Long amazement, there is another full guest house on the contiguous property housing his 1909 Mason & hamlin BB grand, his 1924 the texas Chapter held a lovely spring meeting on sat- steinway Duo-art pianola grand, and a 1923 knabe upright urday, May 4th in rural alvarado, texas. alvarado is 10 miles player. Within this “museum” were a literature and book collec- south of Fort Worth and 35 miles southwest of Dallas. it is a tion, music roll collection, a train collection, a vintage model car thriving 3.9 square miles with a population of 4,200, and for all collection, a trophy collection, and an antique furniture collec- of the attending aMiCans, not one wanted to leave when the tion. afternoon was drawing to a close. it was so nice to imagine the now the unique lagniappe was the classic cars on dis- life, social fabric, and industry 100 years ago in this quaint and play in haden’s large collection. the property grounds were well maintained town. We saw a nice slice of it in the original expansive and in the front lawn was parked his 1955 packard and excellently preserved vintage home and graceful grounds of Clipper Custom sedan and 1965 oldsmobile Jetstar 88 sport our host, haden Vandiver. Coupe making a nice photo opportunity with the nice 1920s bun- galow prairie style home in the background. haden also dis- played his 1939 packard 12 one-twenty sedan and his 1941 Cadillac Formal sedan. our meeting on a moderately cool afternoon was a large turnout and we decided to take a group picture, of which i do not remember one taken before for the texas Chapter. and with the photographic editing wizardry of aMiCan, Jim Quashnock, the bulletin reporter was able to take the picture and be in the picture by sheer magic! We could not allow anyone to be left out of the fun or photograph that afternoon. We finally decided to interrupt the fun and folic and hold a business meeting. the texas chapter has changed over the past year or so and we have had members relocate out of state and limited attendance due to health; but we have had half a dozen or so new members too. We are a group gaining greater and greater wisdom as each of the many years have rolled by, genuinely and politely stated, and our concern is maintaining strong interest/attendance and securing a new generation of members to recognize and preserve the tradition of the hobby. We do have a lot of wisdom, albeit not all of the fundamental answers. the bountiful knabe played on and on all afternoon with music flowing through open windows and doors to the veranda and lawns. as the afternoon sun was disappearing behind the limbs of the texas live oak trees, long shadows were cast across our glorious aMiCan musical playground. the abundant refreshments and appetizers were beginning to disap- pear long before the first party even decided that the time had come to retreat back to Dallas, Ft. Worth, Wichita Falls, or other towns in whichever direction. We graciously thanked haden and Our host, Haden Vandiver, standing at the foot of the his crew of admirals who organized such a fine aMiCa event in homestead’s original windmill. paradise that beautiful halcyon spring afternoon. haden has been a 44 year aMiCa member (1969) and provided the venue for our most relaxing, soothing, and informa- tive meeting. haden has strong interests in and collects many historic antiques and unique fixtures. his main interests are in reproducing pianos, phonographs, radios, and vintage automo- biles. his historic home was built in 1920 and was exceptionally well decorated and adorned with unique period lighting fixtures, antique fans, old appliances, fountains, and his other collection items of clocks, china, crystal, art work, and colored glass. he has both a 1927 steinway XR Duo-art grand and a 1927 knabe ampico 6’4” Model a grand in the main receiving Front of Haden’s home and vintage cars. room/living room which were played for everyone’s enjoyment. 158 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 The Texas Chapter Chamber of Nourishment. Watch Your Back Bill Flynt! Texas the Texas Cowboy is Drawing His Six-Shooter. Chapter Meeting Under Full Discus- sion Guest house nearby. Texas Chapter members in attendance. aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 159 Don Maunder Listens to the 6'4" Knabe Ampico A. Wonderful 1927 Victor Phonograph Model 1050. Steinway Duo-Art Pianola and Wade Newton and Jim Quashnock By Steinway XR Duo-Art. Mason & Hamlin RA Ampico in Guest House. Knabe Ampico Upright Ready for Action. Bill Boruff and Janet Tonnesen Going in Circles Listening to Music. 160 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Southern California Chapter president - Don henry Reporter - Don henry photographer - kelly peters on april 27th, the southern California Chapter held it’s chapter meeting at the home of our good friends Mike & Kathy Choate. it was a lovely day in beautiful Dana point and the 20 or so members in attendance were treated to some of the best sounding organs in southern California. although our chapter has had several meetings at the Choates’, we are always delight- ed to return as Mike continues to add new machines to his won- derful collection. What is even more impressive is how he man- ages to always find a place for “just one more organ!” Shirley Nix and Diane Lloyd enjoying the perfect So Cal weather. Mike & Kathy Choate with the Decap Jazz Organ. his latest acquisition is a superb DeCap Dance organ formerly of the Mike ames collection. We were all delighted to hear this exquisite organ in action. this compliments the DeCap fairground organ now relocated to the living room. it’s always nice to have some soft background music when you just want to relax and have a romantic evening… aMiCa style! Mike has a variety of musical interests and it shows. although his no.1 passion is for fairground and dance organs, Mike also has an assortment of coin pianos and orchestrions including a Coinola X, Coinola Midget, Cremona k and a see- burg kt. he also has one of the finest sounding Wurlitzer 125 Military Band organs as well. a Wurlitzer style a harp and Model 780 jukebox, also made by Wurlitzer, and several edison cylinder phonographs round out the collection. of course there was still more to see. out in the garage were two vintage John Deere tractors, restored and working. Mike proved that by firing one up and nearly gassing chapter chairman Don henry with exhaust fumes. kathy prepared a wonderful array of taste treats for the meeting which included sandwich wraps,veggies , shrimp with cocktail sauce,as well as her legendary crab dip and a fabulous array of desserts. We are always spoiled by kathy’s marvelous repast. as far we know, nothing was left uneaten! after the meeting, a few die-hards gathered at a local eatery for even more food and beverage. sadly our host and host- This is not how you Play –A-Sax. ess could not join us for the after party… next time for sure! aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 161 The Ladies of Amica. Bob & Diane Lloyd in front of the Decap Fairground Organ. Glenn Barker, Jack Conway and Mike Choate talk shop. Arburo Dance Organ, Wurlitzer 780 jukebox. Coinola X. 162 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 knowledge of mechanical music facts. everyone was given 15 Southern California Chapter minutes to answer as many questions as possible. our winner president - Don henry turned out to be Jack Conway, with a score of 12 out of a possi- Reporter - Don henry ble 18. Congratulations Jack! photographer - Lowell Boehland & ed Cooley i think everyone went home from this meeting wanting just a little bit more. hopefully we'll be going back to sandy & once in awhile, we get the opportunity to do something sumi's again... if they'll have us. really special and unique. such was the case with our most recent chapter meeting in Woodland hills, Ca. on June 15th, we were treated to the marvelous and wonderful world of Sandy & Sumi lechtick. it's really difficult to put intio words what we experi- enced as we entered sandy's 2000 square foot arcade filled with some of the most amazing and unusual coin-op machines, arcade games, electrified automata, Mutoscope motion picture machines, and mechanical advertising displays. if you are afraid of carnivals and clowns... this is not the place for you. But if you're like most of us, then sandy's arcade is a magical and jaw- dropping experience. There has to be room for one more thing! Welcome to Sandy’s Arcade! in addition to the arcade, sandy has several other "themed" rooms in his lovely home. there is the Cinema room, with it's graceful art-deco design, complete with a wall sized movie screen and a rare 1939 Mills panoram. the Coca Cola Roy Beltz, Ardis Prescott... and Friend. room speaks for itself with a dazzling display of memorabilia. other gambling devices and vintage advertising are scattered throughout the house. not to be missed was the Baranger room, containing a dazzling display of Baranger Motions, store-window mechanical animated advertising displays, rented to jewellers, and produced from 1925 to 1959 by the Baranger Company of south pasadena, California Usa. other machines in sandy's seemingly neverending col- lection are a Regina hexaphone phonograph, Dewey slot machine, Mills violano virtuoso, seeburg kt special, several orchestrions and many other fascinating devices. this was one of the largest gatherings we've had in awhile with some 50 members and guest in attendance. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather for our outdoor meeting. sandi & sumi have done a wonderful job in creating a beautiful backyard complete with lush vegetation, gorgeous covered patio area and even a lovely koi pond. one of the highlights of the afternoon (personal bias) was the Mechanical Music knowledge Quiz administered by so Cal chapter president, Don henry. each The Baranger Room. member was asked to answer 15 questions relating to general aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 163 Jack Conway admiring the KT Special. The Latest and Greatest Addition to the collection. Bill Blair enjoying the Automated German Polka Band. 164 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 In The News the Republic Mercury news Columbus, in san Jose, Ca 30 June 2013 2 July 2013 Business Adds Replica San Jose restaurant's menu of 1914 Banjo-Orchestra of mechanical music by Brian Blair By Linda Zavoral [email protected] [email protected] a Columbus restaurant serving a healthy portion of nos- You'd be hard-pressed to find a Bay area restaurant talgia has added another historic replica to its menu. these days that doesn't keep its diners entertained with flat-screen that addition to Zaharakos could serve as yet another tvs mounted in every corner. attraction for local visitors, according to tourism officials. owner silicon valley engineer-turned-entrepreneur Mark tony Moravec just added a $75,000 replica of a 1914 Banjo- Williams has the amusement factor covered at his new restaurant orchestra, a whimsical jukebox of its day in saloons and else- too. where. But his business concept is firmly rooted in the years “it’s great that tony’s passion continues to grow his col- from 1900 to 1925, so he's filled his orchestria palm Court in lection,” said erin hawkins, director of marketing for the Colum- downtown san Jose with a dozen of the mechanical music bus area visitors Center. “i think it will only enhance the excite- machines of that era -- from player pianos to nickelodeon-style ment and expectations of visitors to the restaurant and accompa- jukeboxes. nying museum. Just as the 1973 movie "the sting" attracted a new gen- eration to composer scott Joplin's ragtime music, Williams hopes news item and photo gallery may be seen at: to ignite interest in these machines and the classic melodies, http://tinyurl.com/omy8tsw operettas, jazz, rags and novelty tunes they play. (contributed by Mike kukral) "i want to reintroduce people to this great old music," he said. "i think there is a whole generation that doesn't know about this at all and will be excited." step into the vintage brick building and you'll find your- self transported into another time by several player pianos and what are known as orchestrions -- machines with two instruments or more that are designed to sound like a band or orchestra -- including a rare model nearly 10 feet tall with a full percussion section. Williams' favorite piece because it's the most technically intricate is the violano-virtuoso, a violin-playing machine that was advertised as the 8th Wonder of the World when it was invented a century ago. (Let's face it, the great pyramid of giza just sits there. it doesn't play "puttin' on the Ritz.") the restaurant's first days have drawn preservationists and downtown residents curious about what had been going on behind the doors of 27 e. William st., near the san Jose stage Company theater in the artsy soFa (south First area) district. "it's great to have a place that is a tribute to old technol- ogy in a place where we worship new technology," said customer Barbara goldstein, an arts consultant who formerly headed the city's public art program. sandy swirsky, herself a collector of music machines, booked the orchestria for a san Jose Woman's Club luncheon. "i think it has wonderful potential," she said. "there have been pizza parlors with pipe organs, but most of those are gone now." indeed, Williams believes his restaurant will win over anyone whose only contact with player piano music has been at The new Banjo Orchestra plays as Joe Beech, 9, watches the an amusement park or pizza parlor where one tinkly tune played instruments move at Zaharakos. ad nauseam. he has more than 500 paper rolls of music and Photo by Madeline Hodek countless 78 RpM records for these beauties -- and beauties they aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 165 are, antiques crafted of mahogany or quarter-sawn "tiger oak," a there's no problem getting new paper rolls of music wood-grain pattern that was "all the rage in the teens and twen- either; any time old rolls are found, someone recuts them, he ties, then just fell out of fashion," he said. Many have their origi- said. and a turlock company turns modern songs into player- nal stained-glass embellishments. piano versions. these machines were the technological marvels of the But don't expect to hear Rihanna or Carly Rae issuing time, and -- in the days before radio and amplified sound became forth from the bellows of the machines at orchestria palm Court. common -- any restaurant, bar or movie theater that couldn't Williams first has to introduce a whole new generation to Margie, afford to hire a house band had one, Williams said. Minnie, Lulu and a few other gals. he's been amassing these behemoths -- it takes four "You can bring pearl, she's a darn nice girl, but don't people to move each one -- since the mid-1990s and meeting bring Lulu. You can bring Rose, with the turned-up nose, but with other aficionados in the automatic Musical instrument Col- don't bring Lulu." (1925, by Billy Rose, Lew Brown, Ray hen- lectors' association, an international society founded in san derson.) Francisco. a decade ago he came up with the restaurant plan and ORCheSTRIA PAlM COuRT purchased this 1910 building that was originally an auto show- open at 6 p.m. thursday (including the night of July 4 for room. earthquake retrofitting came next, then fleshing out his marches and patriotic music), Friday and saturday, until 11 or vision. the result is a music palace with an organic, locally 11:30 p.m., and from noon-10:30 p.m. sunday. 27 e. William st., sourced menu, a wine/beer/coffee bar, an antique peanut "toast- san Jose. 408-288-5606; http://orchestriapalmcourt.com ing" machine and a soda fountain that serves vintage beverages MORe ON The MuSIC like the poppy Dew and the arctic phosphate. aMiCa, the automatic Musical instrument Collectors' association, will hold its 50th anniversary conference July 11-14 in san Francisco. Details: www.amica.org. Story and gallery of photos may be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/n56jdc2 Dnainfo new York new York, nY 25 June 2013 Forest Park Carousel Granted Landmark Status By ewa kern-Jedrychowska The Violano-Virtuosa plays piano and violin at Orchestria Palm Court restaurant in San Jose on Friday, June 28, 2013. The [email protected] restaurant hosts a collection of mechanical musical machines QUeens — Forest park Carousel is now a new York from the early 1900s. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group) City landmark. oh, and if you can't hear your cellphone call because the Landmarks preservation Commission unanimously one of the machines is playing, just step into the old wooden voted tuesday to designate the carousel, originally carved in phone booth for some quiet and privacy -- as san Jose stage 1903, a new York City landmark. executive director Cathleen king had to do during her post-the- "this is tremendous news,” said ed Wendell, president ater snack Friday night. of the Woodhaven Residents' Block association, in a statement. at a nearby table, goldstein and her husband, John “the Forest park Carousel means so much to countless residents pastier, an architecture critic, were dishing on dessert and nostal- gia while a rendition of "swanee" played on the piano near the front door. "it's a nice curiosity" -- and a good addition to the neighborhood, pastier said. "i wonder if this is a sign that down- town san Jose is finally going to gel." then they hopped up to examine the violano-virtuoso and try to figure out what substituted for a violin bow. "it's like three little rotating elements are pulling the strings," goldstein guessed. Williams later explained that the manufacturer, the Mills novelty Co. of Chicago, invented a circular stack of celluloid pieces -- revolutionary for its time -- to emulate a bow. With the company still in business, he can purchase replacements whenev- er the faux bow wears out. 166 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 in Woodhaven and across the city. this designation is long over- due, but now that it's here, we're thrilled." Councilwoman elizabeth Crowley, who long advocated to give the carousel the designation, called the decision "a tremendous win for our community that once feared [the carousel] may never spin again." "preserving our history strengthens our neighborhoods, and today's decision by the LpC ensures this historic carousel, carved more than 100 years ago, will remain a beloved attraction in Forest park for future generations," Crowley added. the carousel has been in the park since the 1970s. the original Forest park carousel burned down in 1966 and the cur- rent ride was moved to Queens in 1973 from Massachusetts. “the Forest park Carousel is more than just a children’s Last week, the company closed on the sale of steinway ride, it’s a work of art,” said Queens Borough president, helen hall just down the street from Carnegie hall, its flagship show- Marshall, in a statement. “Designating the Forest park Carousel room in Manhattan where generations of pianists have taken as a landmark will help preserve this unique and historic chil- pianos for a spin. dren’s ride for future generations.” however, with the housing crisis fading and the U.s. the historic ride was closed in the 1980s and fell into economy picking up steam, kohlberg is betting on a bright future disrepair. for steinway at home and abroad, says Burt Flickinger iii, presi- it reopened in May 2012 and it is currently operated by dent of retail consultancy strategic Resource group. nY Carousel, which also runs Flushing Meadows Carousel. a typical steinway grand piano costs around $50,000, With landmark status, the carousel is now required to be but can run much higher. kept in good shape. the Landmarks preservation Commission kohlberg, which will take the company private, is open- will also have to approve any demolition, reconstruction or alter- ing a tender offer to buy all of steinway's outstanding stock for ation that would impact the carousel. $35 per share, a 15 percent premium to its Friday closing price of But ami abramson, director of nY Carousel, said that $30.43. he is confident that the designation won't interfere with his ability the board of the Waltham, Mass., company unanimous- to maintain the carousel. "We are confident that we will be able ly recommended that shareholders tender their stock. to do what we need to do and accomplish what we need to the deal includes a 45-day "go-shop" period in which accomplish to keep it running, keep it beautiful and keep it steinway may seek out alternative bids. open," he said. steinway & sons was founded in 1853 by german "We are proud to be managing this historical landmark," immigrant henry engelhard steinway in a loft on Manhattan's abramson added. "it is a beautiful, magnificent carousel." lower west side. steinway was a master cabinet maker who built his first piano in the kitchen of his seesen, germany home, story may be seen at: according to the company website. over the next 30 years, steinway and his sons, C.F. http://tinyurl.com/oa3lpm7 theodore, Charles, henry Jr., William and albert developed the modern piano. the company's products now include Bach stradi- (Contributed by Vincent Morgan) varius trumpets, selmer paris saxophones, C.g. Conn French associated press horns, Leblanc clarinets, king trombones, Ludwig snare drums new York, nY and steinway & sons pianos. 1 July 2013 "kohlberg's long history of collaboration to grow and expand some of the world's leading consumer brands makes us an ideal partner for steinway to accelerate its global expansion, Steinway accepts $438M buyout while ensuring the artisanal manufacturing processes that make from Kohlberg & Co. the company's products unique are preserved, celebrated and treasured," kohlberg partner Christopher anderson said. WaLthaM, Mass. (ap) — the famed piano maker the buyout is expected to close in the third quarter. steinway is hoping that the sale of the company to private equity Flickinger says that emerging markets like China pre- firm kohlberg & Co. will strike the right chord. sent a big opportunity for steinway and for kohlberg. "Families steinway Musical instruments, which has been in busi- will want their children to play on the best piano," Flickinger said ness for 160 years, said Monday that it has agreed to be bought of China, the world's second largest economy, where incomes are by kohlberg for about $438 million. on the rise. steinway pianos have been a status symbol and a must- shares of steinway Musical instruments inc. jumped have luxury in concert halls for more than a century, but the sto- $4.85, or 15.9 percent, to close at $35.28 Monday. shares this ried company suffered during the recession. While it has recov- year have risen close to 70 percent. ered, its shares have not returned to their peak, reached just six months before the recession began. Story may be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/q7c6tma aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 167 New book: like in the late 20th Century trenches -- the one-man show, the community concerts circuit, the roadhouses and honky-tonks, The Road to Ragtime radio, television, and anywhere else there's an audience ready to by Max Morath be entertained. Max Morath is one of america's greatest entertainers. he's one of those magical peformers who's able to get the audi- ence in the palm of his hand the moment he takes the stage. What's extraordinary is that he's been able to be so successful without ever compromising the integrity of his music. he's a national treasure -- and this terrific book helps us unlock it. By edward Berlin (Malverne, nY Usa) For Max Morath fans, it's a must: a glorious, glossy pic- ture book with photos covering his entire career, accompanied by a text sprinkled with his humorous and perceptive observations about music and society. it's the type of material that has defined his performances, that has endeared him to us, and it continues to delight. the "road" of the title has a double meaning, embracing both the course of his career in ragtime and the course of a travel- ing performer's life. each road occupies equal space in the book, with Morath's travels through america sparking additional obser- vations about such topics as air travel, interstate highways, restaurants, chocolate malteds, among others. With his usual wit and charm, Morath finds meaning in the mundane. photographs by his wife, Diane Fay skomars, document these journeys, adding definition to the already vivid commentaries. By Wendy Sonsire (norfolk, Ma Usa) this is a non-fiction book you can actually read! it's funny, truthful, revealing, exciting and fun. Max approaches this book the way he approaches his music--with vigor and enthusi- asm. the pictures have depth--you get to know Max through the photography. Would highly recommend it! Reviews: By A Customer By A Customer only Max Morath and his wife, photographer Diane skomars, could have created this book. it's a beautifully designed only Max Morath and his wife, photographer Diane time capsule, a portrait of a showman who, though he plays skomars, could have created this book. it's a beautifully designed music from the turn of the century, is very much a man of the time capsule, a portrait of a showman who, though he plays present. the iconography of the freeway -- lurid hotel, restaurant, music from the turn of the century, is very much a man of the and gas station signs -- is part of this story, as well as Max's pithy present. the iconography of the freeway -- lurid hotel, restaurant, words on chocolate malts, where to sit on an airplane (on the and gas station signs -- is part of this story, as well as Max's pithy aisle toward the front), and a thoughtful final essay called words on chocolate malts, where to sit on an airplane (on the "thinking about the Music" wherein Max tells us exactly where aisle toward the front), and a thoughtful final essay called american popular music came from. "thinking about the Music" wherein Max tells us exactly where american popular music came from. By A Customer By Murray horwitz (Washington, DC) Max Morath and Diane skomars have created a hand- in all of the mass of literature about american entertain- some book celebrating Max's career as a channeler of american ment, there are only a few books that give you an accurate idea popular culture. Max loves the american present as much as he of what show business is really like -- aCt one, by Moss hart, loves its past. he's been stirring the melting pot for fifty years the tRoUBLe With CinDeReLLa, by artie shaw, aLL oF now, mixing musical styles, fact, fiction, humor, and social MY Best FRienDs, by george Burns, and the occasional pas- observation. this book is much like a Morath concert--that is, it sage in a star's autobiography (sophie tucker, Billy Rose, Little is sweet, funny, and wise. skomars' photographs gorgeously Richard). depict the world of "present Max"--a world of fast food, looka- now, the RoaD to RagtiMe has joined that select like motels, freeway signs--as he travels to take "past Max" to company. thanks to Max Morath and Diane Fay skomars, we audiences everywhere. a beautiful evocation of Max at work and have a document that shows what real american show business is on his way to work. 168 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Web Sites of Interest tv interview with Rex Lawson and Denis hall MechaMusica (Belgium) (contributed by adam Ramet) http://mechamusica.be/?q=en http://tinyurl.com/kfnlte6 autobiography of J. Lawrence Cook Recognizing various piano roll types. (contributed by adam Ramet) (contributed by adam Ramet) http://www.doctorjazz.co.uk/page16.html http://tinyurl.com/kjp6ljz http://tinyurl.com/pfm5z9z a Model train Music Box touring australia's piano graveyard http://tinyurl.com/kg3mga9 (contributed by adam Ramey) http://tinyurl.com/otczqjg Wurlitzer harp Restoration by Roberts Restorations (contributed by Robin pratt) the Music house Museum http://tinyurl.com/nt2vny3 http://www.musichouse.org/ Our Published Heritage the following new files have been added Music trades 5 June 1915 emerson piano Co. Catalog ~1890 to our on-line research library: Music trades 12 June 1915 Fischer piano Co. Catalog 1879 Music trades 19 June 1915 Fischer piano Co. Catalog 1883 Music trades 12oct1912 Music trades 26 June 1915 haines Bros piano Co. Catalog 1889 Music trades 18Jan1913 Music trades 15 Dec 1924 annual hallett Davis piano Co. Catalog 1870 Music trades 1Mar1913 Review of 1924 heintzman piano Co. Catalog 1900 Music trades 11apr1914 Music trades 1 Jan 1927 henry Miller piano Co. Catalog 1885 Music trades 2 Jan1915 Music trades 15 Jan 1927 henry Miller piano Co. Catalog 1887 Music trades 9Jan1915 Music trades 22 Jan 1927 hinds piano Co. Catalog 1895 Music trades 16Jan1915 Music trades 29 Jan 1927 house piano supplies Catalog 1905 Music trades 23Jan1915 Music trades 5 Feb 1927 ivers pond piano Co. Catalog 1890 Music trades 30Jan1915 Music trades 22 Feb 1927 McCammon piano Co. Catalog 1881 Music trades 6Feb1915 Music trades 19 Feb 1927 Mehlin piano Co. Catalog 1917 Music trades 13Feb1915 Music trades 26 Feb 1927 newcombe piano Co. Catalog 1894 Music trades 20Feb1915 Music trades 9 apr 1927 newcombe piano Co. Catalog 1903 Music trades 27Feb1915 Danguard Welte-Mignon training Wall packard organ Co. Catalog 1884 Music trades 6Mar1915 Chart schomacker piano Co. Catalog 1875 Music trades 13Mar1915 Wurlitzer Factory 1920 airial view steinart piano Co. Catalog 1892 Music trades 20Mar1915 Regina Music Box promotional Wall steinway piano Co. Catalog 1881 Music trades 27Mar1915 Chart Wilson piano Co. Catalog 1917 Music trades 3apr1915 aeolian pianola Roll Catalog 1917 Winters piano Co. Catalog 1886 Music trades 10apr1915 american piano Co. Catalog ~1880 Music trades 17apr1915 archer piano stool Co. Catalog 1887 Ed Note: This most recent upload brings Music trades 22May1915 Convention Chicago Cottage organ Co. Cata- our total of research files to well over special issue log~1885 1,000, making our library an ever more Music trades 24 april 1915 Chickering piano Co. Catalog 1880 useful resource. We still have over Music trades 1 May 1915 Chickering piano Co. Catalog 1883 200+ more issues of Music Trades to scan and upload. Stay tuned...... ts Music trades 8 May 1915 Cornish piano organ Co. Catalog 1903 Music trades 15 May 1915 Crane piano organ Co. Catalog ~1890 Music trades 29 May 1915 Decker Bros piano Co. Catalog 1874 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 169 In Memoriam although women were attracted to Ray, his many inter- Raymond "Ray" Siou ests didn't leave much time for romance, and Ray remained a april 26, 1925 - May 22, 2013 bachelor all his life. one of his greatest loves was his many cats, most not belonging to him. But every stray in the neighborhood the world of mechanical music lost a dear friend and a knew where to go for a good meal and a loving pat on the head. great resource on May 22, 2013. known best to his many cus- Unfortunately, he had to leave them behind when he left his tomers as a fair and honest supplier of quality music roll recuts of home above his warehouse. Ray's brothers would often go there probably every type, Ray siou and leave food out for those left was also a man of many talents. behind. shortly after being the past few years were hard born in Canton, China, he left for Ray, as he suffered from the rig- with his parents, settling in ors of age, diabetes, gout and failing oakland, California where his kidneys. his love of red meat and three younger brothers were Chinese food was not healthy for born and where Ray received him, but Ray liked to do his own his education. Ray and his cooking, so he ate what he enjoyed. brother Benton began working My wife cooked up a big pot of in their father's butcher shop spaghetti which i left with him on when Ray was about 18 and one visit. next time i saw him Ray ran that market until 1968, told me to tell my wife to "put more when they went on to another meat in it next time!" Ray quit dri- market until 1972. about this ving in 2000, so his two younger time they both went back to brothers took him shopping and school at Laney College, oak- checked in on him regularly. he left land, Ca. along the way, Ray his warehouse home early this year studied music, playing trom- for a more convenient apartment bone, clarinet, and saxophone, over a restaurant in oakland's Chi- and he played in several bands natown, then, a few months ago and clubs. he proudly received entered a nursing home. on Ray's U.s.a. citizenship in 1956 at last day, he was treated to a big, the age of 30, yet never forgot his ancestry. in each Chinese new juicy hamburger, held for him by his brother Benton, a special Year parade he played trombone dressed in traditional Chinese request by Ray. he had previously chosen not to continue with attire. his dialysis routine and he died shortly thereafter. he asked that Ray became interested in mechanical music in the no service or memorial be arranged after he was gone, and his 1970's and, after working an agreement with play-Rite of tur- wishes have been respected. lock, Ca, began providing quality roll recuts to his retail and Ray has been lovingly described as being a "curmud- wholesale customers world-wide. Many roll collections would geon" by his friend Matthew Caulfield. Yes, he was that, and so not be what they are today had it not been for Ray, and you'll find much more to the customers of this "roll mogul", and to those of his name on many a roll box! Ray was also a collector of instru- us who knew him, put up with his rants, his strong opinions, and ments including arburo, seeburg, and knabbe, among others. also enjoyed quiet conversations. inside, he was a very generous he commissioned several machines from Mechanical systems and gracious man, one we will miss. his brother Benton said to inc. of Lubbock, texas, including several Reproduco build-ups, me recently "i hope he is playing for the angels right now". i am and a W166 band organ, based on the Wurlitzer 165/166 scale. sure that there is music in heaven, and agree that Ray will be he was also interested in auctions, and was a regular at there. the local post office auctions, buying up the lots of unclaimed in the recent words of Matthew Caulfield, "The roll- items, often not knowing the contents, but with him always the collecting world is poorer now for the passing of Raymond Siou." high bidder! Ray's customers were always surprised with some- thing, very often from these auctions, packed with their pur- Chuck Schoppe, chased parcels. often, if not auction items, it might be a cassette aMiCa Founding Chapter tape or a video of one of Ray's machines, but there was always something. Ray's generosity extended especially to his dear Ed Note: Ray’s collection was disposed of by Clars Auction mother, and many auction items went to her for her church rum- Gallery in Oakland, California, July, 13-14th 2013 as part of their mage sales. important Fine Arts and Antiques Sale. 170 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 171 172 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 (contributed by Adam Ramet) aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 173 ADVERTISING FOR SALE GeNeRAl INFORMATION ABOuT All ADVeRTISING IN The GOlDeN AGe of AuTOMATIC MuSICAl INSTRu- The AMICA BulleTIN MeNTS by Art Reblitz. award-winning classic that brings his- torical, musical, and technical informa- All advertising should be directed to: tion to life with hundreds of large, vivid terry smythe color photos. We guarantee you'll find it 55 Rowand avenue to be one of the most interesting, inspir- Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2n6 ing, informative books you have in your phone: (204) 832-3982 (email preferred) library-or your money back. everyone e-mail: [email protected] has been delighted, and some readers have ordered several copies. get your ad copy must contain text directly related to the product/service being copy today for $99 plus s/h. Mechanical offered. extraneous text will be deleted at the editor's discretion. adver- Music press - a, 70 Wild ammonoosuc tisers will be invoiced, with payment to aMiCa treasurer. telephone Rd., Woodsville, nh 03785 ads will not be accepted due to high risk of errors. aMiCa reserves the 603-747-2636 2-14 right to edit or to reject any ad deemed inappropriate or not in keeping http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com with aMiCa's goals and objectives . the BulleTIN accepts advertising without endorsement, implied or otherwise, of the products or services being offered. publication of busi- Arburo with over 125 rolls. Located in san Diego, Ca. Call ness advertising in no way implies aMiCa's endorsement of any com- Ray Krebs at 858-558-4684 mercial operation. during day, or 858-271-7789 in evening for full information. AMICA PuBlICATIONS ReSeRVeS The RIGhT TO ACCePT, [email protected] rf ReJeCT, OR eDIT ANY AND All SuBMITTeD ARTICleS AND ADVeRTISING. all items for publication must be submitted directly to the editor for consideration. ClASSIFIeD AD RATeS FOR AMICA MeMBeRS: 1-100 Words $20.00 RAMeY BANJO WITh 10 ROllS. gReat ConDition. non-member rates are double for all advertising. JOhN MOTTOROS, [email protected] DISPlAY ADVeRTISING 209 267 9252 rf Double page $ 200.00 Full page $ 150.00 half page $ 75.00 Quarter page $ 50.00 Business Card $ 30.00 non-member rates are double for all advertising Special 6 for 5 Ad Offer - place any ad, for a full year (6 issues), and pay for only 5 issues. payable in advance. photographs or halftones $15.00 each. Loose sheet or insert advertising: inquire Display advertisers supply camera-ready copy. Copy that is oversized or undersized will be changed to correct size. We ordinarily do not prepare advertisements from raw content. WANTED PAYMeNT: advertisers will be invoiced. Make check payable to i am looking for monkey automata that are in great need of aMiCa inteRnationaL. typesetting and layout size alterations restoration and repair. i have been collecting monkey automata charges will be billed if required by professional services. for several years and usually buy them broken as it is the only way i can afford them. i try my best to restore them to their prop- DeADlINeS: submissions must be received no later than the first of the odd months (January, March, May, July, september, november). er period, look and movement. i am currently looking for a new the Bulletin will be mailed not later than the first week of the even project for my collection, so if you have one that you would like months. to sell please contact me. i am not a dealer nor a repair shop. i just enjoy collecting and preserving for the next generation. please call or email with pictures, questions and prices. Tony Maquet (949) 300-5267 [email protected] rf Music is the medicine of the mind. ~John A. Logan 174 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 AMICA CD/DVD's for sale: * aMiCa Bulletins to date * aMiCa on-Line Research Library to date * aMiCa technicalities * obenchain ampico catalog * purple Welte Book * Billings Rollography * piano playing Mechanisms, by William Braid White * technical history of the player by John Mctammany all discs are in hi-resolution. Most already on our website, freely available to all members, but in low-res. For most, these discs will be more of a convenience for those not inclined to spend many hours of downloading time. and of course, for those with dial-up or no internet access at all. and even if they do not have a computer, there is always a friendly neighborhood office Depot type service center than can print pDF files off the discs. serious researchers will love the hi-res of these discs. each of these discs are priced at $25 (Us), postage includ- ed. purchasers will be invoiced. Contact: terry smythe 55 Rowand avenue Winnipeg, MB Canada R3J2n6 email preferred: [email protected] aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 175 176 aMiCa Bulletin - Jul/aug 2013 Please visit these suppliers of rolls Brian Stahl: Piano Ticklers Music Rolls Dick Hack: Hack Mechanical Music P.O. Box 220, Elizabethville, PA 17023 2051 Chesapeake Road, Annapolis, MD 21409 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] www.pianoticklers.com (410) 279-5859 Cell Days Phone: (717) 599-1369 (410) 757-2164 Home Evenings Rob Deland: Blues Tone Rolls Kukral Collection: www.bluesrolls.com Welte-Mignon and 88-Note Rolls email: [email protected] 216 Madison Blvd., Terre Haute, IN 47803 Phone: (847) 548-6416 Phone: (812) 238-9656 email: [email protected] Bob & Ginny Billings: Sierra Music Rolls 14010 Rim Rock Drive, Reno, NV 89521 Julian Dyer email: [email protected] 5 Richmond Rise, Wokingham RG41 3XH, Phone: (775) 853-4659 United Kingdom www.pianorolls.co.uk Leedy Brothers Music Rolls email: [email protected] 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038 www.leedyrolls.com John Motto-Ros Phone: (269) 468-5986 - Fax: (269) 468-0019 “Nickelodeon Rolls” “A” “G” “O” Rolls & Boxes Larry Norman: Rollertunes 110 Allen Ranch Road, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 www.home.earthlink.net/~rollertunes 209-267-9252 email: [email protected] www.johnnysmusicrolls.com Phone: (540) 721-7188 e-mail: [email protected] Keystone Music Rolls Don Teach: Shreveport Music Co. P.O. Box 650, Bethlehem, PA 18016 1815 E. 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105 [email protected] email: [email protected] http://www.keystonemusicroll.com Phone: (318) 798-6000 - Fax: (318) 797-4572 Gnaw-Vol-ty Rolls Robin Pratt: Artists' Choice Music Rolls Stephen Kent Goodman email: [email protected] www.gnaw-vol-ty.com Phone: (419) 626-1903 E-mail: [email protected] 516 Pierce Street, Sandusky, OH 44870-4725 Fax: 866-828-2165 Steve Bentley, SB-"O" Rolls series. D.C. Ramey Piano Company, LLC. Play-Rite Music Rolls 17768 Woodview Drive 1536 N. Palm St., Marysville OH 43040 Turlock. CA 95380. U.S.A. 708-602-3961 Phone. (209) 632-5784. www.dcramey.com Fax. 209) 667-8241. email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Ed Sprankle Piano Roll Auction QRS Music Technologies, Inc. Search for my eBay Seller ID:jensprank 1026 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 email: [email protected] Phone: 1-800-247-6557 - Fax: 1-716-885-7510 Jennifer Sprankle www.qrsmusic.com 6114 La Salle Avenue #491 Oakland, CA 94611 Magic Melodies 360 Lawless Road, Jamestown, KY 42629 "Pipes of Pan Music Rolls" Phone: (270) 343-2061 (Formerly Schmidt's) 207 S. McCrary St. David Saul: Precision Music Rolls Woodbury, TN 37190 1043 Eastside Road, El Cajon, CA 92020-1414 615-563-5814 email: [email protected] http://www.popmusicrolls.com email: [email protected] Joyce Brite: Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange Ed Gaida Music Rolls http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/ PO Box 8174 http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/rollpage.htm San Antonio, TX 78208 email: [email protected] [email protected] http://www.gaidamusicrolls.com/