Greetings MMD,  Gene Gerety and I have successfully installed our
first two MIDI valve systems for customers.  One was installed for
Gerry Bay (who has written to the MMD about the experience and the
performance in his fine upright Steinway) and the other in a Chickering
Ampico B owned by Craig and Ellen Brougher.

These installations meet or exceed our expectations and those of the
customers.  We will therefore be taking orders for new systems and will
be delivering them as soon as they can be built.

The Ampico B and Duo-Art were chosen for the first installations as
their demands are the most difficult to satisfy.  The high vacuum of
the unregulated theme valves in the Duo-Art, and the high flow and low
tolerance for signal tube leakage requirements of the Ampico B (due to
the ball bleed and extended signal tube length), require fast acting
positive valves in order to perform properly.  In addition, these two
pianos have little room for extra components.  We are convinced that
the system will present few problems in other installations.

Pictures and additional information can be found on my web site at
the following URLs:

  http://www.spencerserolls.com/
  http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm

Be sure to see the second page with the pictures and the page with
the full text of the letter written by Craig Brougher to my e-roll
collectors group.

I have also added a file of tracker bar tube charts for the Ampico A,
Ampico B, Duo-Art and Welte Licensee.  These include suggested tubing
arrangements for these systems.  They may also be a useful reference
for rebuilding and diagnosis.  The link may be found at the bottom of
the downloadable files page http://www.spencerserolls.com/Download.htm

Best regards,
Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542
tel.: (707) 984-8356
http://www.spencerserolls.com/
http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm