I think that Andy Taylor is showing his frustration regarding
substitutions of parts, more than substitutions of automotive hose
and tubing.  The problem is the subject heading on the letter, not so
much the contents.  The subject was strictly about making substitutions
of hose and tubing, as I recall.  I never got into all the natural
substitutions of little parts and other supplies that one sometimes
has to make.  I, and everyone else, buy automotive supplies from time
to time, like gasket cork.

However, he made one statement that I feel is a little presumptuous.
He said:

> There is not a rebuilder here who can tell me that their first player
> was "correct".  That sort of attention to detail comes later when the
> rebuilder becomes more aware.  But I'd bet that all rebuilders remember
> their first player, and fondly.  It wasn't "correct", but the thing
> made music.

Since that was printed, it deserves an answer.  Sorry, Andy, but
that doesn't apply to me, and I think you were applying it to me and
everybody else as well.  I don't think it necessarily applies to a lot
of rebuilders, frankly.  You've made it clear that it certainly applies
to you, so we can believe it.  I should not be judging others by my own
"Standard" (pardon the pun), and I don't.  My first player was a
Standard action that I owned, and you could pump it with one foot when
I finished -- with regular rubber tubing and good quality hose and
pneumatic cloth, excellent bellows cloth, the works.  Three years
later, I designed it into an Ampico, and it was a very sensitive
reproducer.  It also had automatic reroll and stop, and had repeat on
it, too.  And if you wanted, you could pump it, and it had override to
play 88 note rolls just like a regular player.

The same day you issued your challenge, I also included where one
could buy good quality cloth, too.  I broadened the discussion to help
rebuilders overseas, but have never discounted finding parts and
supplies elsewhere.  For years I used Hartz cloth for rotary pumps.
really good stuff.  It was designed for antique car top material.  My
own piano still has it and it is without leaks and plays well.  You
have to know what is good material, also you have to know why not to
use some things.  I have also found out that some rebuilders who resort
to substitutions lost their credit at the supply houses.

As to making other kinds of mechanical substitutions, this subject
doesn't even apply to the actual subject in the letter.  The subject,
prior to 6-19-02 had been strictly hose and tubing.  Your objection is
probably the broader heading the editors assigned it.  You may wish to
take it up with them.

There are lots of reasons someone might prefer other sources of supply.
The criteria is appropriateness.  heater hose on an air motor is not
appropriate.  To say, "So what if it tears the nipple out of the air
motor.  The player will survive," I think tells the whole story.
Thanks anyway, Andy, but I'll stick with the materials and supplies
germane to the trade.  It shows respect for what you feel and what you
are doing.

Craig Brougher