Player Systems

There are two major type of player systems – pneumatic and electronic. The pneumatic types were found in literally dozens of configurations, with really only two systems common today – the standard 88 note player, and the "O" roll system. Both were developed in the early part of the 20^th century. The standard 88 note system was most often found in homes, and was usually powered by a foot driven pump. The rolls were designed to play 88 notes on the piano, with no other effects. The piano cabinets were usually plain, with very little carving or artwork, though sometimes fancier pianos were built. The "O" roll system was usually found in restaurants, hotels and other public establishments. This system was designed to play continuously (as long as it was fed a steady diet of nickels) thus it was usually powered by a motor driven suction pump. The rolls had coding for 65 playing notes on the piano plus a host of other percussion instruments including but not limited to drums, pipes, xylophone bars, wood blocks, cymbals and much more, plus a variety of effects. Cabinets were often decorative, especially the leaded stained glass panels that were usually part of the cabinet. Both systems are available today new, with the "O" roll system popular as a retrofit into an older, rebuilt fancy piano, retrofitted with stained glass. Ragland Piano Company is pleased to offer retrofitted "O" roll systems and restoration of all manner of pneumatic player systems and pianos.

Electronic systems are very popular today, and offer some advantages over the paper roll systems. While certainly not as exciting from a nostalgic standpoint, the systems are reliable, easier to service and plentiful. There are three major manufacturers of these systems: PianoDisc, Pianomation and Yamaha, maker of the Disklavier. Of the three, only two are retrofittable, the PianoDisc and Pianomation – Yamaha only offers the Disklavier as a factory installed option in a new Yamaha piano. There are several derivatives of the Pianomation system offered by various piano manufacturers as "factory" installed systems – Baldwin offers the Concertmaster and Samick offers a house brand player – both are Pianomation systems with a special control box built to the piano manufacturer’s specifications. Ragland Piano Company is pleased to offer service and installation of PianoDisc and Pianomation. With over fifteen years experience installing and servicing electronic systems (starting in 1986 with the now obsolete Pianocorder systems) we are well prepared to add a new dimension to your silent piano or service and upgrade your existing system.

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Roll Sources

PianoDisc

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 Example of an "O" roll upright player.  Click on the image for a larger view.