Jim Cullen asked in regard to using neoprene sponge:

> 3.) I noticed that Player Piano Co.  sells a sponge neoprene foam for
>     use in recovering the pallet valves.  Does anyone have any
>     experience in working with this material.  Is it good, or should I
>     go with felt and leather (and if so, which leather).


   I suggest you go with felt and leather.  Your suspicions are correct
and neoprene will always take a set.  In addition, it will eventually
misalign the keys of your organ, since they also sit on the stuff.

   While you're at it, remember that the key stickers in a reed organ
of the ordinary variety were trimmed to level that particular key, so
they are specific to the key they were trimmed for.  Don't get them
mixed up.  Also look for cracks in the soundboard and reed chest and
repair them all cleanly first.  Cracks in the chest may cause notes to
sound all the time, and cracks in the soundboard are leaks to air.
Patch with pneumatic cloth and hot hide glue where you can get to it.

Craig B.