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On PlayRite and B's
By A. B. Bonds

Many thanks to both Craig Brougher and Robbie Rhodes to their comments with respect to my queries. I may try a couple of the newer PlayRite rolls, but I have visited the Playtime site mentioned (not slow at all, even during the day) and found that their Ampico catalog was severely limited to a few pops rolls. At least some years ago, PlayRite had well over a hundred Ampico titles in their catalog.

To play 88-note rolls, I'll try yanking the #6 lines and see what happens. RE Robbie's comments that I should get a foot-pumper and that A's are "better" than B's, I'd reply (1) I have an A (upright), a B (grand), a 7-ft grandfather clock, a Victrola Orthophonic console, an Ariston organette, two cats and a chair in my living room. I suppose I could do without the chair, but I haven't seen any foot- pumpers that small. (2) IMHO, the A is great for A rolls and popular music, the B is great for B rolls and classical. Mebbe it's the difference between an upright and a grand, but that's how I use them.

A final question. My B is getting a bit wheezy. I restored all the pneumatics, rubber and valve facings about five years ago, but tried to do a couple of valve block pouches and determined that I had neither the skill nor patience to do them well, so left well enough alone. A number of them are getting pretty leaky--they do get a fair amount of exercise. Any recommendations for shops who can do Ampico blocks? I apologize if this is getting too commercial....

(Oddly, the A, which is 6 years older than the B, soldiers on with most of the original valve pouches. They may not be as sophisticated, but they are robust.)
Regards A. B. Bonds


(Message sent Fri 5 Jul 1996, 21:27:08 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  B's, PlayRite

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