My name is Cheryl Podolsky, and while I've been perusing the MMD
archives for quite some time, I recently became a subscriber.
I'm the proud "Mama" of a Wurlitzer Style I Nickelodeon, circa 1914.
I acquired the piano at an auction in California in January of 1999 (my
husband Jeff and our two pre-schoolers live on New York's Long Island),
and after several early attempts at local restoration, I found John
Tuttle.
The Wurlitzer, surprisingly enough, had all its parts, although it
was in somewhat sad shape. The pin block required replacement, as did
virtually everything else not made of metal (although the pot metal
rewind friction wheel did decide to blow apart recently, requiring a
newly machined one). It was a lengthy convalescence at John's
workshop, as I knew it would be, and I must say (sorry, John, gotta do
it!) that John Tuttle is the most dedicated -- and ethical -- craftsman
I could ever imagine. As a matter of fact, you can view some of the
pin block work on my Wurlitzer and the completed piano itself at
http://www.player-care/thumbpix.html
I'm certainly interested in other machines (I recently saw a Seeburg G
that was up for sale) but for now I think I'll sit back and enjoy
"Charles" (as named by John Tuttle). I enjoy all the wonderful,
informative articles MMD has to offer every day, and welcome
correspondence from other collectors. As a matter of fact, I would
love to hear from, and perhaps visit with, collectors here on Long
Island.
Cheryl Podolsky
|