Automatic Musical Instrument Collector's Association

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The International Association of Player-Piano, Roll-Playing and Automatic Instrument Enthusiasts.

Video Vault

View a restored 1918 Wurlitzer Style CX Orchestrion in action.

In the early 20th century, long before the age of digital electronics, mechanical musical instruments called "orchestrions" entertained people in soda fountains, restaurants, amusement parks and saloons. This 1918 Wurlitzer CX Orchestrion includes piano, pipes, bells, drums and the famous Automatic Roll Changer. Watch the roll changer in action near the end of the video.

Featured Audio

Use the Controls below to stop/start music

Piano roll p/b Frank Milne in 1932
Ampico Roll 214581

Audio was recorded from John Del Carlo's 1925 Mason & Hamlin model RBB Grand Piano with a late Ampico "A" mechanism and a modified "B" drawer with the first Stahnke LX retro-fit kit solenoid system on the market (though the recording heard is played by the actual piano roll itself). Piano also contains Duo-Art return springs to enhance note repetition, and an Ampico tracking bar modified for "fingerless" roll tracking.

What's an Automatic Musical Instrument � a player-piano?
Yes, that's a start - but there's much more ...

AMICA, (pronounced "Am-ih-cah") the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association is an educational non-profit organization with worldwide appreciation of historic automatic musical instruments. AMICA provides a lively forum for the sharing of the many aspects of our hobby, and ...
A collection isn't necessary to belong.

Review our Current Bulletin Click an image below ~ You'll need the free Adobe Reader
Cover	Table-of-Contents
Click Here to browse a prior Bulletin *in full*.

AMICA was founded in San Francisco in 1963. Its goal has always been to introduce people from all walks of life to the beauty and value of automatic musical instruments.

AMICA has prevented the destruction of many fine rare instruments that have been restored to their former glory. Not only that, but AMICA has placed many instruments in places where the general public can see, hear and enjoy these glorious instruments from the past.

Our members' interests vary widely from collecting instruments and rolls and related items, from fascination with the mechanisms to interest in the history and the technicians and the artists to just plain listening to the music of these amazing instruments.

Here are some of the things "AMICAns" do:

WE SHARE INFORMATION: The AMICA Bulletin is published regularly and offers articles, technical and historic information, biographical sketches, international and chapter news, as well as advertisements of interest to all collectors of automatic musical instruments.

WE MEET COLLECTORS: The Membership Directory lists fellow members, and their collecting interests. Annual Membership Meetings are held during the convention to discuss national association policy. Local Chapters form a network across the world. These chapters meet regularly and offer social and technical interchange.

WE ATTEND CONVENTIONS: Annual Conventions are sponsored by local chapters to highlight their regions and local collections. This meeting gives members the chance to enjoy collections, see interesting people, places and things, and they allow AMICAns to make friends with collectors from the world over. Conventions are hosted by enthusiastic chapter members who share an interest in all facets of automatic musical instrument collecting. Informative workshops are presented as well as marts where members may buy and sell rolls and other items related to automatic musical instruments.

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Contact Us �2005-2010 AMICA International Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Page last Updated: Sunday, July 11, 2010 06:12 PM

... has named AMICA as a resource for care of Musical Instruments and Music Boxes

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