I see reference to a steamboat pump in Art Reblitz's player piano book.
It would appear to be a four-bellows unit, two opposing bellows units
each side, crank driven, if I'm reading the picture correctly.
Also, Mike Knudsen set the wheels in motion on this quest with the
following from MMD: "The four-bellows pumps used in Duo-Arts and
Ampicos can easily draw 50 to 60 inches when in good condition. A good
player tech could build one from scratch, though there should be plenty
of salvage units around needing new leather and cloth. They needn't
make much noise."
Does anyone out there have a particularly strong opinion about which of
these systems might be the best for putting together a side-man suction
unit for a Dynavoice, that could be housed in a box placed next to the
piano? Do any piano techs have a salvage unit in your stock I could
rebuild? Please advise as to price and shipping to San Francisco.
Also, will need another unit for Mike Stehney in South Carolina,
already rebuilt or functioning.
Thanks for your input.
Tom Lear
San Francisco CA
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