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
MMD > Archives > February 2015 > 2015.02.05 > 06Prev  Next


Valve Travel in Cremona G at DeBence Museum
By D. L. Bullock

99% of the valves in player piano action stacks are regulated to the
same travel.  If the valve travels too little, the note plays slowly.
An airtight system only loses pressure while the valve is in motion
and if travel is too wide the system loses too much suction.  A piano
with a wider than optimal valve travel will fade out in volume if an
arpeggiated run is played or if there are many repeating notes.

For optimal playing I find that the minimum valve travel is .032", but
I set all mine to .035" to .040" maximum.  One exception is Simplex
which can play well on as little as .028" valve travel.  A reproducing
piano needs more precision and gets set to precisely .035".

Digital depth gauge micrometers are quite cheap at Harbor Freight if
you need one.

Hope this helps and best of luck in regulating.

Doug L. Bullock


(Message sent Thu 5 Feb 2015, 06:45:27 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

Key Words in Subject:  Cremona, DeBence, G, Museum, Travel, Valve

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