I like to respond to the recent postings about rebuilding player
piano's, since I am in the process of tearing one apart to get it
to play again.

The piano played at about 80%, missing some notes as it played.
I thought the tubing was the cause, because it looked like some of the
tubes were kinked.  The tubing is a hard black plastic-looking type.
As it reaches the pneumatics it is cut short and the last four inches
or so are old rubber-like tubing, which is very brittle.

The real problem is that the cloth on the small pneumatics is either
cracked, split, or cut open from age.  Its amazing to me the piano
played at all.  I am taking the piano apart carefully taking pictures
and notes as I go along and labeling everything.  As a guideline I have
been reading and following Art Reblitz's book, "Rebuilding the Player
Piano.

I want to do it right and use the proper parts, so I will be going to
the former American Piano Supply Company [APSCO], since it's only about
20 minutes from my house here in New Jersey.  I have purchased from
them before and they do sell to me and I hope the new owners will too.
I don't mind if I have to pay list price as long as long as I can get
the correct parts.

I welcome as many tips as people want to send my way and I will be
asking many questions as I go along.  I am at the part where I am
removing the individual small pneumatics.  I have along way to go.

Jim Kenney