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MMD > Archives > June 2003 > 2003.06.23 > 11Prev  Next


Repairing Simplex Action in Player Piano
By Roy Austin

-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD --

I am restoring an ancient player piano with the Simplex action.
I think the governor/regulator needs adjusting.  When the bellows are
pumped, there is air coming out the flapper valves upon release of each
pedal, but the motor and hence the roll does not move, either in the
play more or in the rewind mode.

I've tried several settings of the governor spring tension, and have
(although warned not to) rotated the screw adjusting the stop by one
turn in and out.  Also, I have disconnected the linkage to the governor
so I can directly adjust the play and tempo valve push rods into the
side of the governor.

I have the old Simplex manual, and the book by Larry Givens on player
piano repair and restoration.  I have also adjusted the tracking
linkages, but have not replaced the cord at the left.  Shouldn't
matter, at the least when the roll is first installed, all the keys
should depress when the bellows are pumped -- they don't.

The previous owner had restored all the bellow fabrics and vacuum pipe
lines throughout, however the tubing is still the old lead tubing, not
the rubber type as on my other piano of the same type.

After all of this, I'm stumped.  Any advice, or publications that would
help, would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Roy Austin
707-785-2181


(Message sent Mon 23 Jun 2003, 19:48:31 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Action, Piano, Player, Repairing, Simplex

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