[ Editor's Note:  The following is section 5 from the Frequently Asked
 [ Questions from the newsgroup rec.music.makers.piano.  Section 5, which
 [ I've quoted below, is new.  I'm providing it here for reference.  It
 [ mentions our group!
 [
 [ Jody


[5] Player Pianos

The general subject of player pianos is far too great to try
and cover entirely here.  Therefore, this list is limited to
those instruments most likely to be found at the average
estate sale, grandma's basement, or in an old dusty corner of
a garage.

This section of the FAQ was contributed by Rick Pargeter.  If
you have any questions regarding player pianos, please
contact Rick at 70702.2016@compuserve.com.  If you have
corrections, etc., please e-mail the FAQ maintainer at the
end of this FAQ.


[5.1] How old are they?

Most common players were manufactured between 1915 - 1929


[5.2] What are their values today?

Generally, an unrestored, average, run-of-the-mill, complete,
70-year-old player is perhaps worth 10% - 20% more than the
same vintage non-player.  However, it is always best to have
it professionally appraised.  Some players bring very high
values.  Player pianos which are grand pianos, original
"nickelodeons" (coin-operated commercial units), and
reproducing players are usually considered high-value player
pianos.


[5.3] Definitions of parts

Bellows - A component usually consisting of two like-pieces
     of wood with a cloth hinge at one end, and covered with
     a rubberized cloth.  One side of the bellows will have
     an opening, so that when vacuum is applied, a mechanical
     action occurs.  Conversely, when connected to pedals and
     a check valve is added, they act as a pump, lowering the
     pressure in the stack.

Stack - The upper part of the player.  This is the part that
     plays the piano, and contains the valves, bellows,
     spoolbox,  and wind motor.

Spool Box - This is the area where the piano roll is
     inserted, and is usually behind a set of doors.

Tracker bar - The brass bar in the middle of the spool box
     that has all those holes in it.  Each hole represents a
     note on the keyboard.  They are sequential (i.e., C C# D
     D# E F F# G G# A  A# B).  Tubes, usually made of lead,
     are connected from the back of the tracker and to the
     stack.  Each tube is connected to a channel in the stack
     that controls a valve connected to the main vacuum
     supply from the pump.

Pump - The lower part of the player.  The pumping pedals are
     connected to the pump.  The pump usually contains the
     wind motor regulation, and controls to divert the vacuum
     to the stack, wind motor, and expression pneumatics.

Expression pneumatic - Since the piano's usual expression
     pedals are covered up by the pump pedals, it looks as if
     you cannot access them.  However, there is a way to
     duplicate these pedals through the use of expression
     pneumatics.  The piano controls are usually located
     underneath the hinged key slip.  Usually, there is a
     button which will control the equivalent pedal function
     also.  In order to operate the loud pedal, simply push a
     button on the control rail, and the loud expression
     pneumatic will operate exactly like the loud pedal.  In
     addition to the loud pedal, there are usually two soft
     pedal expression pneumatics.


[5.4] How do they work?

Player pianos use suction, not pressure, to work.  As the
pedals are operated, air is pulled from the pump and the
entire stack is placed under a slight vacuum.  This vacuum
operates a motor that turns the rolls in the spool box.  The
piano roll has holes cut in them that when they pass over the
tracker bar, the tracker bar's holes are uncovered.  A valve
is operated when the holes are uncovered that applies vacuum
to the striking pneumatic, which plays the note on the piano.


[5.5] Restoring player pianos?

As with any pianos, a key to safely restoring old instrument
is patience and time.  It is best to have restoration done by
a professional; however, anyone with a reasonable mechanical
aptitude and patience can restore a player.

The materials used in restoring player pianos are very
specialized, and are generally unavailable at your average
local stores.  Vinyl covering (naugehide) will crack to
pieces in a matter of days when used to recover pneumatics.
Common rubber hoses (fish tank and automotive style) will
collapse and turn brittle in a matter of months, rendering an
irreplaceable antique musical instrument useless.  Also,
white glue, silicone sealers, body filler, tape, etc., have
no place in player pianos.  The tried and true methods and
materials as used when manufactured are to be used in the
restoration.


[5.6] Books on player restoration

The main book for player restoration is:

  PLAYER PIANO - Servicing and Rebuilding,
  by Arthur Reblitz
  Published by The Vestal Press
  Vestal, NY 13850
  ISBN 0-911572-40-6 (pbk.)

For advanced rebuilders:

  PNEUMATICS HANDBOOK & Orchestrion Builder's Handbook
  By Craig Brougher


[5.7] Where can I get Player piano parts?

The main source for player piano parts is:

   Player Piano Co.
   704 East Douglas
   Wichita, Kansas, 67202
   Tel. (316) 263-3241


[5.8] Where can I get new and used music rolls?

New Piano rolls are being produced today.  Some of the
manufacturers and suppliers are:

   Upright & Grand
   Eric D. Bernhoft
   P.O. Box 421101
   San Francisco, CA 94142

   QRS Music Rolls, Inc.
   1026 Niagara Street
   Buffalo, NY 14213-2099
   Tel: (716) 885-4600
   Fax: (716) 885-7510
   AOL Keyword: QRS

   QRS Pianomation Center
   Solenoid player piano division
   (similar to PianoDisc system)
   2011 Seward Ave
   Naples, FL 33942
   Tel: (941) 597-5888
   Fax: (941) 597-3936

   Play-Rite Music Rolls
   401 S. Broadway
   Turlock, CA 95380

   Bluestone Music Rolls
   485 Gatewood Lane
   Grayslake, IL  60030

   Piano Roll Center
   108 Southcreek Circle
   Folsom, CA 95630

   Collector's Classics
   163 Main St.
   Thomaston, ME 04861


[5.9] Any player piano associations?

Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association (AMICA)
Suppliers of specialty items are also advertise here.  For
membership information contact:

   Mike Barnhart
   919 Lantern Glow Trail
   Dayton, Ohio 45431


[5.10] Mailing list?

There exists a group called Automatic Musical Instruments,
which has a mailing list maintained by Jody Kravitz.  If you
want to subscribe, send your request to:

   automatic-music-request@foxtail.com


      ___________________________

 [ I'm quite sure that isako@mit.edu  (Isako Hoshino) would welcome
 [ comments, additions, or corrections to the text above.
 [
 [ Jody