Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > November 2000 > 2000.11.06 > 04Prev  Next


Operating & Maintaining the Player Piano
By Mike 'Fox' Morrey

Hello all, again.  Still enjoying the heck out of my player, and as
I play it more and more, I'm noticing little things that I'm just
curious about.

I thought all, if not many, had a pneumatic sustain.  I see the punches
for it on the left side of the roll; I was mildly surprised to see mine
didn't have one (around 1916 player).

Not really crucial to the operation, but what is a good brass cleaner
to clean the brass parts, especially the tracker?  I don't want gunk
clogging the holes.

As someone who knows music, and has a great tempo ear, I can notice
that sometimes my tempo will fluctuate barely.  Especially after a
phrase that has little or no notes playing going into one that has a
lot.  Is this normal, or should I take a look at my tempo regulator?

And since I don't know exactly what paper slippage is, I'm going to
assume that that's what this is:  While playing, very briefly, like in
the middle of a passage, the paper will stop completely, then resume.
_Very_ briefly.  At first I thought maybe I had a gear or something
slipping, but no, it's the paper.  (I noticed it most when I was
working on my brakes.  I think I have my brakes adjusted properly now,
I just haven't played all my rolls since I adjusted them.)

Also, while re-rolling, there seems to be _no_ tempo (or speed) watch
-- the faster I pump, the faster it re-rolls.  Is this normal?  Is
re-rolling too fast or too slow bad for the tension when you play it
next time?

That's all for now, save one more cleaning question:  How is ivory
cleaned?  I don't want to ruin it (or wear off anymore black paint on
the sharps).

Thanks!
Mike Morrey


(Message sent Mon 6 Nov 2000, 23:32:31 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Maintaining, Operating, Piano, Player

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page