MMD > Archives > September 1996 > 1996.09.26 > 09Prev  Next


Self-Restoring 1920 Steinway XR Duo-Art
By David Stankov

Hi

I have a few questions to anyone out there.  I bought a 1920 Steinway
XR Duo-Art Quarter-Sawn Oak Case, Butcher Wax Finish in 1981, while in
college. I was minoring in Piano Technology, so the piano was
completely rebuilt and refinished as part of my class project (it was
painted flamingo pink and used in a bar in the 50's). The player
mechanism was removed and stored very nicely, in the 50's, and has
never been rebuilt.  It came with 2 pumps, a "steamboat" style in a
large external case (I think this is the original) and an internal
rotary (too large to fit between the bracing). At one time I had all
the schmatics I could find on this thing, but after 15 years some have
grown legs and walked away.

I have rebuilt and refinished an early Wing & Son, 88 note, art case w/
mandolin rail, and a Mathushek Welte-Mignon (according to the s/n built
in 1934). I also rebuilt, in college, a 15" Polyfon double comb box in
which the lead on the bass notes had disintegrated. I own these and
they play well, but I have not rebuilt anything about 10 years. I never
persued piano technology as a career.

Okay, after all that, here are the questions.

   1) Should I tackle the Steinway myself? (I have been discouraged by
several technicians over the years).

   2) Is Rebuilding the Player Piano still in print. Can't find my copy.

   3) Is the player piano supply company back east still in business.

   4) Can I still get reprints of the schmatics.

   5) Is there a chapter of AMICA in my area. (Southern CA)

Thanks for any advice you all can lend.

David Stankov¶
butch@cyberg8t.com

(Message sent Thu, 26 Sep 1996 11:48:18 -0700 , from time zone -0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  1920, Duo-Art, Self-Restoring, Steinway, XR

Related by Subject:
1996.09.26.09 (This article) - Self-Restoring 1920 Steinway XR Duo-Art
2026.01.17.02 - FS: Hofbauer Tanzbär Self-Playing Accordion
from John Zuk
2025.09.30.02 - Seek Wurlitzer Self-tensioning Drums
from Tyran Johnson
2023.12.28.01 - FS: Self Adhesive "D"-ring Piano Roll End Tabs
from RJ Ingram
2020.02.21.01 - MMD Website Self Registration Now Working
from Jody Kravitz
2020.01.02.04 - MIDI-controlled Self-playing Banjo
from Luke Lindblom
2020.01.02.05 - MIDI-controlled Self-playing Banjo
from Roger Wiegand
2019.12.31.02 - MIDI-controlled Self-playing Banjo
from Wayne Finger
2019.01.01.02 - "V'olin" = "V'Oleon" Self-playing Violin Device
from John McConnel
2019.01.01.03 - "V'olin" = "V'Oleon" Self-playing Violin Device
from David Kelzenberg
2018.03.30.04 - Steinway "Spirio" Self-playing Piano
from Uwe Gernert
2018.03.29.07 - New Steinway Self-playing Piano "Spiro"
from Matthew Caulfield