Following up Mark Williamson's query about his proposed restoration
of a Bell player piano.

Mark asked whether this is an Aeolian player.  No -- none of its
characteristics are remotely Aeolian!  Jeffrey Borinsky suggested this
could be a Higel.  Another suggestion is that it's an Autopiano; things
like the 'phrasing' lever and 4-hole tracking suggest this.

The sentence "it seems that this [Solodant] was the term Aeolian used
for Themodist" is completely back to front.  Themodist was Aeolian's
trade name, and other makers used terms such as Solodant.

Autopianos in the UK typically are equipped with accenting systems,
and I wouldn't be surprised to find that Australian ones were as well.
The Vestal Press reprinted a Standard action book (nearly identical
to the Autopiano) which doesn't have the accenting system in it, but
I recently purchased an original of this book in London and it has an
additional sheet glued in describing the accenting device.

If a rather more accurate source of information is sought, purchasing
Art Reblitz's "Player Piano Servicing and Rebuilding" would be $23 well
spent (see Amazon).  This should have enough information to identify
the action if it's a common one, and how to rebuild it.

Mark asked, "Am I completely and utterly mad for even considering
rebuilding a player piano?"  The answer is, "Of course -- but do it
anyway!"  It's very satisfying to get some neglected instrument to
work.  Just don't expect to make a huge profit on the time spent!

Julian Dyer