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MMD > Archives > November 1998 > 1998.11.12 > 15Prev  Next


Dynavoice Keytop Piano Player Mechanism
By Matthew Caulfield

I noticed yesterday on the eBay web auction site an item called the
Dynavoice, which is essentially a Vorsetzer that doesn't setzen "vor"
but "oben."  That is, the unit sits on top of the piano keyboard, with
the piano-roll tracker frame perched on top of the bank of finger
pneumatics which depress the keys.

The unit is not foot-pumped; apparently the roll frame is motor driven
and the vacuum to operate the Dynavoice is supplied by a turbine that
didn't show up in the picture.

The seller mentioned that very few of these were made.  If I recall
correctly it was of post-WW II manufacture.  The winning bid took it
at something over $500.

Do any MMD'ers know more about the Dynavoice?  This was a first for me.

Matthew Caulfield

 [ I did some consulting ca. 1968 for the guy that bought the remaining
 [ stock at the bankruptcy auction, and he gave me one of the units.
 [ It was sold as a novelty around 1960, when player pianos were once
 [ again in vogue.  The turbine blower roared, and after a few years
 [ the plastic components began to crack and split.  I think the
 [ manufacturer was in Plymouth, Michigan.  -- Robbie


(Message sent Fri 13 Nov 1998, 04:43:58 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Dynavoice, Keytop, Mechanism, Piano, Player

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