Thanks, Andy, for sharing your experience with the Simplex Valves.
Yes, I did restore the original valves and resealed the pouch wells
have not had any problems since. (Actually, I still have to remove
about 20 of the replacements valves which I haven't gotten back to
yet.)
Speaking of old products from Player Piano Company, I had no luck with
their Ivory Cement. I followed the instructions carefully and boiled
and applied it to original ivories and it would not stick at all. I
spoke with Durrell Armstrong and he assured me that it was, "the
original Mr. Hales formula", and it should work. Well, I wasn't going
to argue for a $3.45 bottle of glue, so I left it at that.
On the other hand, I must say that as a novice player restorer I am
very thankful that the Player Piano Company exists, because I found
that, for us non-professionals, we have limited resources for purchase
of parts and equipment. Several of the larger piano companies have
policies whereby they will only sell to professionals. One of the
biggest challenges for me was just to find out how and where I could
acquire parts and equipment.
It sure would have been nice to have known about MMD about 2 years
ago! It would have made my first restoration even more enjoyable than
it was.
Joel Cluskey
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