Hi Spencer,

From my point of view the increase in price you are contemplating is still in
keeping with the value of the system. I am still a strong advocate for the
retro-fitting of pnuematic reproducing pianos with e-valve systems in order to
get the maximum enjoyment from these beautiful older instruments.

Your system (in my opinion) is one of the best on the market, for its
compactness, ease of installation and reliability.

I suppose in the bigger picture the market for e-valve systems is somewhat
limited (relatively small number of pianos and only small number of the owners
of those pianos that want the system installed). A more concentrated/intense
marketing scheme might allow you to penetrate the market deeper to make it
somewhat more advantageous for production.

As to your other questions, I just don't know.

Regards,
Alan Turner
>
> From: Spencer Chase <spencer@...>
> Date: 2007/08/21 Tue AM 11:30:30 CDT
> To: "E-Roll-Collectors@yahoogroups.com" <E-Roll-Collectors@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [E-Roll-Collectors] E-Roll Player status and questions
>
> Greetings E-Roll-Collectors,
>
> As usual, I am trying to determine if I can continue to produce the
> E-Roll Player. Due to the low value of the US dollar, parts costs have
> skyrocketed. I had reduced costs to the point that I would actually
> make some money if I continued the current design but that is not
> possible now. I have a new design in testing that will be cheaper to
> produce and is made from components that do not have absurd purchase
> lead times as with the current design. I hope to have a fully tested
> system together soon and to work out the details of manufacturing and
> programming the new board. The rest of the system is the same which
> has proven to be very reliable, robust and easy to repair.
>
> I have enough of the old block style (with through holes) that can be
> built in to systems, once the new boards are proven. This combination
> of old and new parts (tested with the current valve board)actually
> results in the best performance of any system yet. I had to make some
> modifications to allow the new coils to fit the old block and this
> resulted in increased performance.
>
> I am writing to ask a few questions.
>
> First, the three (maybe 4) systems that can be built in the near
> future are probably all taken but things can change in time. If you
> might be interested in one, let me know and I'll put you on a list.
>
> Any ideas about the future demand for E-Roll Players would be helpful.
> I need to determine if I should make another batch which involves
> serious parts price negotiation and tying up a lot of money. The more
> I build, the lower the cost but the greater risk of having a bunch of
> money tied up for a long time on a very low profit venture.
>
> How much of a price increase would be possible? Basic system is $2500
> now. The cost increases add $500 just to build the same design. Is
> $3000 (worthless US dollars) too much for an E-Roll Player? You could
> buy a medium quality sofa for that much, charge a wide screen TV on
> your credit card and forget about the reproducing piano.
>
> Any success with competing products? I make money selling the E-Roll
> MIDIs and am continuing to scan and increase my collections. Would be
> great to just sell the music and let a better business person make the
> players.
>
> Are people switching to solenoid pianos and giving up on pneumatic
> players. Is the market just too small to bother trying to support
> them?
>
> --
> Best regards,
> Spencer Chase mailto:spencer@...
> 67550 Bell Springs Rd.
> Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
> Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
> Spencer@...
> http://www.spencerserolls.com
> http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
> (707) 984-8356
>
>
>