In 2007 I started the restoration on a [Hallet & Davis?] Virtuolo
player piano for a friend of mine.  I disassembled the piano to get it
ready for refinishing.  I gave him all the metal parts (plate bolts,
action bolts, pressure bar, etc.) to get polished and/or plated.

Fast forward to about a month ago when he calls me to tell me that
he _finally_ got the case refinished and it is ready to install the
plate and restring it.  I ask him about the parts that he had plated,
and he has no idea where they went!

I was able to find replacement bolts and all the other parts except
the pressure bar.  I know you are probably going to say that I am out
of luck and will not be able to find one that fits exactly.  You may
be right, but I am willing to try anything short of making one from
scratch.

The plate is the style that is in two separate pieces.  The main plate
with all the strings is separate from the nameplate.  This would mean
that the piano was made for many different brands, with only the upper
right portion of the plate different.  This may make it easier to find
a replacement pressure bar.  If you have an old player, or parts laying
around, I am interested in purchasing the pressure bar.  I had a
template made, so it will be easier to match one up.  Please help!

Rich Ingram
Southern California
rollguyrich@yahoo.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]