Introduction
By Larry Toto
[ Editor's note:
[ Howard has just joined us. I'm enclosing a snip of a conversation with
[ him because it is interesting to me (and I hope to some of our readers)
[ how he came to find out about us.
[ Jody
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Hello,
My name is Larry Toto. I recently joined your automatic music forum. Jody suggested that I introduce myself at some point, so here it is. I also just joined AMICA.
Back around 1984, I saw that a local auction house was going to have three pianos up for sale. One was an out of tune upright with broken ivories; there was a baby grand, painted white, legs removed, sitting on its side (it sold for $1.00 - that's one dollar); and there was a painted green upright with a player mechanism inside. The piano sounded a little out of tune, but all the notes played. The foot pump was simply tossed into the bottom, unattached by any bolts. I received a box of brittle and broken tubing and metal parts with it. The auctioneer started in the hundreds and dropped down to $5.00 after no bids were offered. Within a minute or so of that $5.00 low point, I owned a piano for $20.00. I paid $50.00 to a couple of kids who worked for the auction to move the piano to my basement. I removed the player mechanism and foot pump, had the thing tuned, and played the piano for the next 8 or 9 years. I stripped the paint off to reveal a burled walnut veneer. I finished it with Deft lacquer. Looks great.
In 1993 or so, I decided to look into the player mechanism on the chance I could make some sense of it. I called Acme Piano Co. (in Philadelphia) and I think it was they who told me of James Chadwick (local automatic music guy and piano technician), who, as I recall, informed me of the Player Piano Company. Unbelievable, a business catering solely to player pianos? Who would'a thunk it?
Long story, short: I rebuilt the wind motor, the pnuematics of which I had stuck my thumb through. I am using all original materials (suede, rubber motor cloth, hide glue, etc.). Some new wood needed to be cut for the pneumatices. I stuck the player into the piano and hooked my Kirby vacuum cleaner up to it. Boy, did it play! The bottommost note stuck on, four notes do not play. Not too bad. Now I'm really enthused. I just (this week) tore open the lower action. I haven't yet completely figured out how the lower action connects to the upper action.
Robin Pratt (AMICA) was a great help with advice. Thanks Robin.
Upper Action: Pratt_Read Model 32, six point wind motor.
Lower Action: Looks like the Gulbransen unit described in Reblitz's player piano rebuild book.
I am happy to exchange information with anyone on these units, either through this forum or directly to my e-mail: toto@mammo.pndr.upenn.edu
Other interests: Family - I have a lovely wife and son. Flying - I am a flight instructor at Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Cigars - I have a passion for an occasional premium cigar.
Thanks for listening,
Larry Toto
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(Message sent Wed 27 Sep 1995, 16:05:26 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.) |
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