The Steel Guitar Forum

This is pretty incredible. I understand how they cut player piano rolls straight from a player. How they did the banjos, I have no idea. And pretty danged close to the original recording...

But pedal steels are really simple and primitive!

Dave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnB7x7CmfBw

Not sure what you mean, David.

It's likely the whole roll (and all the musical parts) was cut on a reproducing piano. The holes in the roll activate pins, which control levers that play the piano keys, the banjo strings/frets, the bass drum, tambourine, and other instruments.

Band organs are fascinating devices, and they must be heard in-person to get the full effect. This is late 18th century technology at it's finest. These band organs used to be found in every merry-go-round, and many dance halls, bars and restaurants. They were the "juke-box" of the day.

And there's the hurdy gurdy.
When I was a kid, a guy would stroll around with a hurdy gurdy and a small monkey that would hold a cup for donations.

Wait a minute... Tempered, Just, Sweetened... does Peterson have sweetened tunings? Oh, never mind!

At 25 cents per play, the payback on that must have been years and years!