FAQ excerpt from rec.music.makers.piano
By Isako Hoshino, forwarded by Jody Kravitz
[ Editor's Note: The following is section 5 from the Frequently Asked
[ Questions from the newsgroup rec.music.makers.piano. Section 5, which
[ I've quoted below, is new. I'm providing it here for reference. It
[ mentions our group!
[
[ Jody
[5] Player Pianos
The general subject of player pianos is far too great to try and cover entirely here. Therefore, this list is limited to those instruments most likely to be found at the average estate sale, grandma's basement, or in an old dusty corner of a garage.
This section of the FAQ was contributed by Rick Pargeter. If you have any questions regarding player pianos, please contact Rick at 70702.2016@compuserve.com. If you have corrections, etc., please e-mail the FAQ maintainer at the end of this FAQ.
[5.1] How old are they?
Most common players were manufactured between 1915 - 1929
[5.2] What are their values today?
Generally, an unrestored, average, run-of-the-mill, complete, 70-year-old player is perhaps worth 10% - 20% more than the same vintage non-player. However, it is always best to have it professionally appraised. Some players bring very high values. Player pianos which are grand pianos, original "nickelodeons" (coin-operated commercial units), and reproducing players are usually considered high-value player pianos.
[5.3] Definitions of parts
Bellows - A component usually consisting of two like-pieces
of wood with a cloth hinge at one end, and covered with
a rubberized cloth. One side of the bellows will have
an opening, so that when vacuum is applied, a mechanical
action occurs. Conversely, when connected to pedals and
a check valve is added, they act as a pump, lowering the
pressure in the stack.
Stack - The upper part of the player. This is the part that
plays the piano, and contains the valves, bellows,
spoolbox, and wind motor.
Spool Box - This is the area where the piano roll is
inserted, and is usually behind a set of doors.
Tracker bar - The brass bar in the middle of the spool box
that has all those holes in it. Each hole represents a
note on the keyboard. They are sequential (i.e., C C# D
D# E F F# G G# A A# B). Tubes, usually made of lead,
are connected from the back of the tracker and to the
stack. Each tube is connected to a channel in the stack
that controls a valve connected to the main vacuum
supply from the pump.
Pump - The lower part of the player. The pumping pedals are
connected to the pump. The pump usually contains the
wind motor regulation, and controls to divert the vacuum
to the stack, wind motor, and expression pneumatics.
Expression pneumatic - Since the piano's usual expression
pedals are covered up by the pump pedals, it looks as if
you cannot access them. However, there is a way to
duplicate these pedals through the use of expression
pneumatics. The piano controls are usually located
underneath the hinged key slip. Usually, there is a
button which will control the equivalent pedal function
also. In order to operate the loud pedal, simply push a
button on the control rail, and the loud expression
pneumatic will operate exactly like the loud pedal. In
addition to the loud pedal, there are usually two soft
pedal expression pneumatics.
[5.4] How do they work?
Player pianos use suction, not pressure, to work. As the pedals are operated, air is pulled from the pump and the entire stack is placed under a slight vacuum. This vacuum operates a motor that turns the rolls in the spool box. The piano roll has holes cut in them that when they pass over the tracker bar, the tracker bar's holes are uncovered. A valve is operated when the holes are uncovered that applies vacuum to the striking pneumatic, which plays the note on the piano.
[5.5] Restoring player pianos?
As with any pianos, a key to safely restoring old instrument is patience and time. It is best to have restoration done by a professional; however, anyone with a reasonable mechanical aptitude and patience can restore a player.
The materials used in restoring player pianos are very specialized, and are generally unavailable at your average local stores. Vinyl covering (naugehide) will crack to pieces in a matter of days when used to recover pneumatics. Common rubber hoses (fish tank and automotive style) will collapse and turn brittle in a matter of months, rendering an irreplaceable antique musical instrument useless. Also, white glue, silicone sealers, body filler, tape, etc., have no place in player pianos. The tried and true methods and materials as used when manufactured are to be used in the restoration.
[5.6] Books on player restoration
The main book for player restoration is:
PLAYER PIANO - Servicing and Rebuilding,
by Arthur Reblitz
Published by The Vestal Press
Vestal, NY 13850
ISBN 0-911572-40-6 (pbk.)
For advanced rebuilders:
PNEUMATICS HANDBOOK & Orchestrion Builder's Handbook
By Craig Brougher
[5.7] Where can I get Player piano parts?
The main source for player piano parts is:
Player Piano Co.
704 East Douglas
Wichita, Kansas, 67202
Tel. (316) 263-3241
[5.8] Where can I get new and used music rolls?
New Piano rolls are being produced today. Some of the manufacturers and suppliers are:
Upright & Grand
Eric D. Bernhoft
P.O. Box 421101
San Francisco, CA 94142
QRS Music Rolls, Inc.
1026 Niagara Street
Buffalo, NY 14213-2099
Tel: (716) 885-4600
Fax: (716) 885-7510
AOL Keyword: QRS
QRS Pianomation Center
Solenoid player piano division
(similar to PianoDisc system)
2011 Seward Ave
Naples, FL 33942
Tel: (941) 597-5888
Fax: (941) 597-3936
Play-Rite Music Rolls
401 S. Broadway
Turlock, CA 95380
Bluestone Music Rolls
485 Gatewood Lane
Grayslake, IL 60030
Piano Roll Center
108 Southcreek Circle
Folsom, CA 95630
Collector's Classics
163 Main St.
Thomaston, ME 04861
[5.9] Any player piano associations?
Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association (AMICA) Suppliers of specialty items are also advertise here. For membership information contact:
Mike Barnhart
919 Lantern Glow Trail
Dayton, Ohio 45431
[5.10] Mailing list?
There exists a group called Automatic Musical Instruments, which has a mailing list maintained by Jody Kravitz. If you want to subscribe, send your request to:
automatic-music-request@foxtail.com
___________________________
[ I'm quite sure that isako@mit.edu (Isako Hoshino) would welcome
[ comments, additions, or corrections to the text above.
[
[ Jody |
(Message sent Wed 3 Jan 1996, 22:06:30 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.) |
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