Duaine Hechler wrote in 080229 MMDigest:

>- Is there plans for [adding a player]?

Not that I know of, but there is an excellent "almost a book"
about rebuilding the Aeolian Orchestrelle, available on the MMD.
Visit http://www.mmdigest.com/Gallery/Tech/index.html
Projects like this require quite a bit of building "on the fly".

>- Would it would be based on the player piano design?

The Aeolian 1500 used pneumatics similar to a player piano, but
their Orchestrelle used pouches and valves very much like those
found in pipe organs.  Either would work.

>- Would I need a Tempo regulator to play regular piano rolls?

Absolutely!  You'd also need a regulator for the reed wind.  The
Orchestrelle roll motor uses much larger pneumatics than a piano,
as the pressure is much lower.

>- What would be the starting place for such a project?

Study all of the available documentation you can find.  You also
need to learn how all of the parts interact.  I'd suggest getting
a copy of Craig Brougher's book, "The Orchestrion Builder's Manual".
Lots of great ideas and "how-to's" in there.

>- How would the keys and/or pallet valves be activated?

In the Orchestrelle and 1500, the keys are not affected.   In the
Orchestrelle, the primary valves are activated by the player, and
in the 1500 an entirely separate system using separate reeds is
activated internally.

>- Would player piano style valves come into play?

Yes, but the configuration would depend on the rest of the action.

>- Do any patent drawings exist?

Quite probably, but I don't know any of the numbers.  Patents were
illustrated to show the _purpose_ and _operation_ of the invention,
not to provide building plans.

> Or would it be easier to start from scratch?

It might.  You'll have to decide based on your building experience
and tools available to you.

> P.S.: My ultimate dream is to own a Tangley calliope or a small
> band organ.  (Of course, money being the obstruction on this one,
> I'll gladly accept restorable donations.)

There are two plans out there to build a replica of a Wurlitzer 104
or 105 band organ.  Bob Stanoszek drew up a set a number of years ago
and, more recently, Randy Charles drew up a set, marketed through his
"Alien Aircraft" web site.  I have both sets, and both, while they do
contain some errors, are very good.

Good luck with your plans!

Bob Loesch