Introduction
By Denis Anderson
Hello all, a lurker comes out of the woodwork. The request for demographic information has spurred me on to write an introduction and a request for help after almost 6 months receiving this excellent digest.
About 25 years ago I received a Triumph Autopiano (London) on which to learn the piano. The pianola action was non-functioning at that time, but a few years later I managed to patch the holes in the bellows so that it worked after a fashion. The stack was very leaky, and so for many years I would occasionally load a roll and pump furiously, working up a good sweat by the end of the roll.
So, not wishing my pianola to act as an exercise-bike any longer, I have undertaken a complete restoration. I have read Ord-Hume's history and have the Art Reblitz book, but I still have some questions:
1. Is there anyone out there who owns a London-made Triumph Autopiano?
2. How do I find out the date of manufacture of this instrument? There are no obvious stampings that I can see.
3. Where would people recommend I go in the UK for supplies of pneumatic cloth, bellows leather, etc. that I will need for a restoration?
4. What UK associations could I join in order to meet similar minded people? (Dan Wilson mentioned some names in the past I think...)
I think Roger Warings idea of communicating his experiences of a restoration would be instructive (especially for me!). Also, I would be interested, like John Wale, of having the demographic breakdown by country of the list members.
Keep up the good work Jody and Robbie.
Denis Anderson
June 1958
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Guess: 48.3
[ Welcome, Denis, and for UK advice I heartily recommend Dan Wilson
[ and Roger Warings to get you the contacts you need. Good luck with
[ your exercise-bike pianola ! -- Robbie |
(Message sent Wed 19 Feb 1997, 13:27:17 GMT, from time zone GMT.) |
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