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@spencerserolls.com
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@spencerserolls.com
http://www.spencerserolls.com
http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
(707) 984-8356