I have a customer with a Ragtime Automated Music [RAM or "Ragtime
West"] orchestrion from the 1980s.  The build up unit was from the time
most everyone it seems was "drinking the Kool Aid" of Perflex pouches.

Several pouches are "blown" on the stack.  The Ragtime website is
recommending that everyone with one of these Perflex actions upgrade
and get a new 55-note player action at a cost of $2850 (they weren't
specific as to _why_ they should get a completely new stack).  The
customer has to pay me for my labor as well and does not want to spend
that much.  I have called Ragtime Automated Music and not heard back.

My question is, can these be rebuilt and what are the challenges?
I have used John Tuttle's method successfully on Universal player
systems.

These RAM pouches look like they are not easily accessible.  Do I
have to worry about any other Perflex pouches on other components or
anything else?  Should I just "bail out" on this job?

My overall opinion of Ragtime Automated Music is very positive.
I appreciate that they make such wonderful although not always perfect
instruments.  They have great technical videos on their website.  Any
ideas or advice appreciated.

Bill Maguire
Long Island, New York

 [ MMD articles about Perflex pneumatic cloth are indexed at
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/P/perflex.html 
 [ -- Robbie