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MMD > Archives > July 2005 > 2005.07.23 > 10Prev  Next


Colby Player Piano Mechanism
By John A. Tuttle

Hi All,  The other day Mike Dostert sent in a request for information
about a Colby player piano [050720 MMDigest].  Since that name was not
in the list of Player Piano Makers, I contacted the owner of the piano
and solicited some more information.  He sent me a dozen pictures of
the Colby player mechanism.

I'm writing because I cannot identify the system.  It has a few
relatively unique characteristics.  First, it has a four-chamber air
motor.  Second, it appears that roll tracking is accomplished via
mechanical linkage that is manually operated from in front of the keys.
Third, it appears to have a 'split stack' and some form of expression
control via pushbuttons (also in front of the keys).  Lastly, it has
perhaps the largest exhauster and reservoir bellows I've ever seen in
a player piano.

If you have some time, and think you might be able to identify this
mechanism, or if you're just interested in taking a look, go to:
  http://www.player-care.com/system-colby.html 

Musically,
John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey, USA


(Message sent Sat 23 Jul 2005, 11:50:45 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Colby, Mechanism, Piano, Player

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