Hello Everyone,  My name is Noel Butler and I live outside Sydney,
Australia.  I have been reading your collective comments over the
last few months and can see there is a wealth of practical experience
out there.

I have a P. C. Weaver piano with a Pratt Read player system Model P
[Recordo], Serial No 51983, of about 1926 vintage I think, Scale 425,
Style 72, Serial No 70692, and a functional electric blower that looks
very old and made by "Motor Player Corporation", Model D, which is
a noisy black box fitted in the piano.

The unit plays quite well, though many of the minor functions have been
closed off and a few notes do not strike.  I looks like some restorative
work was done in the 1980s as clear piping goes throughout it and the
bellows material has been replaced.  The player is a bit erratic on
which rolls it will play, even new ones of the same make.  It does need
a fair amount of air power to drive it.  The various bellows seem tight
but air is going somewhere.

Piano tuners have told me the piano is sound and is about 15% off pitch
thus requiring a full tune and possible full service.  The body work is
good, with Art Deco sconces and body lines.  The frame, sound board,
etc., seem fine; it was well cared for.

The problem is the Pratt Read unit.  One restorer said they are
average to do up, with regards to time and complications, and could
come up as new.  Another said because of their unique construction
setup they are not viable to restore and when done they never come up
to an acceptable standard and so are best extracted from the piano.

I seek some other opinions on these responses before I begin any
restoration of the body work, which is my strength.  I am a novice
when it comes to the player system, which looks frighteningly complex.
I have a mechanical mind and the necessary equipment to work with wood.

Has anyone done up this particular system and what were the results?
Have you possibly even pictures of it pulled down?

I am a bit alone here and do not know anyone locally that is familiar
with it and can give me guidance.  I love old machines and would like
to preserve the whole thing for my grandkids but only if it is
practical.

Cheers --
Noel Butler, Sydney, Australia
shiloh329@bigpond.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

 [ At http://www.arcade-museum.com/mtr/MTR-1926-83-7/index.php 
 [ MTR-1926-83-7.pdf  page 17/40, August 14, 1926, at the
 [ convention of National Association of Piano Tuners --
 [   "The Pratt Read Player Action Co. showed a model P reproducing
 [ player action fitted for instruction and exhibit purposes,
 [ a P. C. Weaver upright with Pratt Read player action and a Schaff
 [ Bros. upright player with music.  Charles Leiser is in charge.
 [ Instruction classes are also being conducted.  A special feature
 [ is a working model of piano action, key and player action, all
 [ Pratt Read products."
 [ -- Robbie