I think many of us would be interested in buying some quality pneumatic
cloth, and hopefully it will be available to all of us.
Yesterday, I disassembled my Ampico, for it's thousand mile check-up,
cleaning and small adjustments spray for moths, etc.
I rebuilt it in 1994, using the finest pneumatic cloth I could find
from a well known U.S. player piano supply, and yesterday, found that
all the material I carefully installed ( after three years) is showing
signs of age! Cracks and leaks! Interestingly, I did not replace the
amplifier pneumatic that was original in 1929. It did not leak when I
rebuilt the Ampico, as it is somewhat difficult to remove and recover.
I left it alone -- it still does not leak!
Why cannot we have material made like the material which has lasted
since 1929? I am not too happy paying extra money for what is supposed
to be the best, and have it start crumbling in such a short period of
time. Let's get together and obtain some good bellows material that
will be available for all who wish to do a good and lasting job.
Bruce Clark
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