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From: croothof@ix.netcom.com (Craig Roothoff)
To: webmaster@foxtail.com
Date: Wed, 04 Feb 1998 18:44:18 -0800

Subject: Empeco Mystery Solved

I believe that I have an Empeco expression piano (or something very
similar).  It is a Thein grand, built in Bremen, Germany.  I acquired it
locally about a year and a half ago (I'd like to know how it got to San
Diego!).  It is unrestored, and did not come with rolls.

About a year ago I wrote to David Saul regarding the instrument.  He
was kind enough to reply, sending me Hupfeld and Empeco tracker scales
from the Reblitz and Bowers volume.  At first I suspected that it might
be a Hupfeld Duophonola. This because it uses standard width rolls and
has theme holes on the trackerbar.

The expression system and the motor governor are missing.  However,
there is a large valve block to the left of the spoolbox.  These valves
are involved in the expression system.  The #97 tracker hole connects
with one of these valves that serves as a cancel for six other valves
in the box.  The rewind valve is connected to hole #92.  There are
accent holes in the trackerbar in exactly the same spot as Aeolian and
Angelus products.

The only anomaly is that the trackerbar hole #3 does not have 3 holes
to multiplex  -- it has a single hole like all the other.  It is
connected to a normal (not a lock & cancel) valve.  Unfortunately, the
pneumatic that it would fire is missing, so I cannot know its purpose.
Perhaps hammer rail lift?  Other than this, it follows the Empeco scale
description (including the fact that there are 86 playing notes).

The stack sits above the keys, as in an upright, and the spoolbox above
the stack.  The wind motor is uncannily similar to motors in model A
Ampico grands.  The stack is similar to a single-valve standard.  The
inner valve seats are pinned in place rather then screwed.

Since the expression system is missing, and rolls possibly unavailable,
I am considering rebuilding it into a Welte or Ampico (I have existing
hardware).  However, an Empeco would certainly be unique!  I wonder if
there is any more literature on the system - the tracker scale descrip-
tion is inadequate (to me) to be able to figure out how the system
should respond.  I would need that information to construct replacement
parts for the expression system.

I would very appreciative of any information regarding this unusual
system.

Craig Roothoff

 [ It sure resembles the Hupfeld Duophonola/Triphonola system, which
 [ combined the best attributes of the Welte Mignon (smooth crescendo)
 [ and the Solodant (fast accents) systems.  Perhaps our German readers
 [ could tell us more about the Hupfeld system and rolls.  -- Robbie