Hi All, I've just posted a web page with some pictures of the player
mechanism inside a Canada Piano Co. player piano. I can't figure out
who made the mechanism -- it's unlike any that I've ever seen, and it
has an interesting 'accessory', for lack of a better term.
The device, which is located just to the left of the spoolbox,
appears to be a switch of some sort. It looks to me like it is
a rather elaborate transposing trackerbar, as evidenced by the linkage
in the spoolbox, the six tubes on the back of the device, and the two
tubes on the front which are connected to the two valves on the
tracking mechanism.
Although it's hard to tell from the pictures, it looks like there
are holes in the trackerbar that extend beyond the normal 88 holes.
So, by selecting which holes will 'read' the edge of the music roll,
the tracker device will shift the trackerbar to the left or right
(from center) by 1 to 3 spaces. I say that because there are seven
tubes connected to the switching device.
If you have any information about the player system, I have a link
on the web page (see URL below) which leads to a form you can fill out
and send to me. I'm certain the owner will be most grateful to find out
all he can, and it would be helpful to add more information to the
Player Piano Makers database.
http://www.player-care.com/canada-piano.html
Musically,
John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey, USA
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