Gulbransens are virtually unknown in the UK (although I have experi-
enced John Phillips's upright in Tasmania and thought the Gully a much
underrated animal) and the only reason I know the following is that
I read it up when I was editor of the (London) Player Piano Group
Bulletin.
About 12 years ago this very subject was exhaustively discussed in
the AMICA Bulletin. One correspondent recommended smashing the stack
up on your garage floor with a 50-pound hammer, redoing the pouches and
carefully repairing it again, but others had found a way of levering
the glued stacks apart. I think one used a steam tent or some such.
However, the "Dickinson" Gulbransen was the later variety. Most of
these, but not all, had screwed stacks. An examination should show
which type this particular one is. The AMICA Bulletin also mentioned
critical instrument serial numbers around the time of the change.
Dan Wilson, London
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