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 > January 2004 > 2004.01.06 > 08Prev  Next


Hardman Duo Player Piano by Aeolian
By Arthur Marino

It is my recollection the Hardman Duo made in the 1950's did not have
plastic valves as in later pianos.  When the change was made to the
plastic valves the name was changed to DuoArt, Musette (a full keyboard
39-inch drop-action player), Pianola, etc., and the piano was factory
electrified, although some of the earlier 65-note Pianolas were pump
only.  The stack was moved to under the keybed.

The Hardman Duo was Aeolian's first reissue of a player in many years.
I think it was made in The Bronx, and it contained a Standard-like
wooden action.  The stack was located on top of the keys and was
two-tier.  The lower tier had fingers attached directly to the striker
pneumatics that went under the wippins, the top tier had fingers
attached to a wire loop that attached to the pneumatic.  The pouches
were in a pouch board, the valves (very Standard-like) were in the
valve boards.  The whole thing was screwed together with cork gaskets
and shellac was used to seal around the valves.  This sometimes
crumbles and pieces fall in the valves and freeze them.

I have overhauled a bunch, sanding off the cork gaskets and replacing
them, cleaned the valves and resealed, etc.  The motor is good old
Standard, and the tracker the same, decent sized exhausters and
reservoir -- all easily rebuildable.  A real fun project and they
played rather nicely.

Arthur Marino


(Message sent Tue 6 Jan 2004, 16:38:41 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Aeolian, Duo, Hardman, Piano, Player

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