This is a quick note to bring everyone up-to-date with where we are
at with the restoration of the New Zealand "K" photoplayer. Over
the last 18 months we have been working away with the preparation of
detailed reports on the photoplayer, mapping its history and planning
for the future. We have in fact reached Stage Two of what we consider
a five-stage project. Stage Two will include restoring the piano
section back to playing order.
We have to thank many of the MMD subscribers for their help over this
time of preparation. Special thanks to Marty Persky and The Sanfilippo
Foundation, Timothy Westman, Art Reblitz and the many others out there.
It has amazed us what we have been able to find of what is missing, and
the generosity of those collectors who are prepared to wait while we
find funds. Thank you, all.
We can now say that the restoration will be completed over the next few
years and that the photoplayer will play again. It will be 100 years
old in 2015 and our aim is to have a centenary concert.
One problem we are still facing are the registry boxes. We have been
told that, apart from not having any electrical valves (the photoplayer
is all pneumatic), the registry box on a Wurlitzer 135 is almost
identical. Does anyone have drawings available of the registry box,
or even a registry box itself?
Regards,
Don Paynter - The Photoplayer Restoration Trust
Opotiki, New Zealand
donann@kol.co.nz.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]
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