Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > March 2002 > 2002.03.12 > 04Prev  Next


Tubing Sizes for Orchestrions
By Craig Brougher

Actually, Brian Smith has discovered what sounds like the same problem
one would have when playing the early Play-Rite recuts on many
reproducers, because the holes were smaller, when the pressure called
for was low, or when fast repeating notes were needed, those notes on
some instruments would skip.

I presently have an Ampico model B that plays these old Play-Rite rolls
just fine, with full expression.  The reason is that this player has
been repouched, and the pouches sealed with Dow Corning 111 Silicone
Grease (thinned, of course, after the lifters have been glued) and then
talcumed.

But let's talk about the orchestrions and nickel pianos.  The small
holes in the rolls are just bringing out the problems in the player.
A strong player will still play them without any trouble.  The same
thing will happen, and for the same reasons.  For instance,

1.  Long note tubing runs with undersize tubing

2.  Restrictions at a place in the tubing, like twill tape cinched
too tight).

3.  Stiff pouches, caused by oversealing, or layers of rubber cement,
or thick leather.

4.  Oversize bleeds (this, combined with undersized tubing often
creates this problem)

5.  Too much lost motion between pouch and valve.

6.  Too much accumulated leakage overall (low pressure).

7.  All of the above problems combined (very often also the case).

Yes, rolls with larger holes are always preferable in every case, and
I've never understood why perforator operators preferred small holes
if they could get away with it.  I would think larger hole dies and
punches would be easier to maintain.  But before this fact was
acknowledged, there were many recuts made with small holes in
orchestrion rolls.

So for all of you who are planning on buying a working coin op piano or
orchestrion sometime, take along one of these rolls and ask to play it
first.  They make pretty good test rolls, all by themselves.  And if
the player is sound throughout, you won't even know there's a problem.

Craig Brougher


(Message sent Tue 12 Mar 2002, 16:09:33 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Orchestrions, Sizes, Tubing

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page