Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > October 2009 > 2009.10.01 > 05Prev  Next


Factory Electrified Bush & Lane Cecilian
By Bob Kern

I recently "rescued" a Bush & Lane Cecilian upright (case style 22
as pictured in the Encyclopedia) from a local Goodwill store.  At
first glance, this piano looked like a standard pumper-player, but
on further examination, it appears this may have been a factory
electrification or vintage retrofit, either by the factory, or
a very good tinkerer.

There are no extra holes anywhere indicating that the pedals were
removed, and the lower doors are professionally sealed from the
inside.  The pump is run by one electric motor, the roll mechanism by
another.  The spoolbox is fitted with two small lights and a switch,
and there are a number of solenoids that may constitute an electric
rewind.  The expression buttons are well worn, indicating that this
piano got a lot of use before being retired.

My question:  Has anyone come across an upright Cecilian that may
have left the factory as an electrified player?  I've read the many
interesting articles on the Cecilian, and can't tell if any of the
specific pianos mentioned were electrified, or pumpers.  If anyone has
any literature or information that might be helpful, I'd appreciate
the help.

Bob Kern
Chicago suburbs, Illinois


(Message sent Thu 1 Oct 2009, 18:54:17 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bush, Cecilian, Electrified, Factory, Lane

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page