Rick Inzero asked about player actions that are less difficult to restore.

   The advice given on Simplex as being a "doozy" is right on IF you
have to replace the pouches.  Back in the 70's it was common practice
to leave pouches if they were still good, ie looked like brand new, and
withstood teasing with a voicing needle.  Now that most players are are
apporaching 80 years old, the pouches are 20 years older, replacing
them might become more common.  There is no way to tell about pouches
without removing the pneumatics.  So buyng a player that needs
rebuilding is risky in terms extra work that may need to be done now
that didn't need to be 20 years ago.    It can take up to three hours
to make an accurate estimate, and then the player is torn apart  (with
the execption of Simplex) and must be rebuilt if it is ever to play
again.  And you'll probably still wonder about replacing pouches unless
they disentigrate upon examination.

   Actions to rebuild.  This is opinion  (so are the statements above)
but I would rather rebuild a Standard Action first. Besides being very
common, it was well designed, well made, and when rebuilt (right)
performs like a dream.  Here's a  simple test for rebuilt players.  Put
a roll in and pump it.  Stop pumping and see how long it continues to
play.  Anything over five seconds is getting good.  There is another
action called Autopiano.  Its identifying features are similar to the
Standard, the double hole tracking system. As far as I remember, the
insides are practically identical and the rebuilding efforts and
results are the same also.  Then there is Aeolian in the top grades,
like Steck, Steinway, Weber. Baldwin is a good one also.  Being on the
east coast, the Aeolian action might be more common and something to
look for.

   As far as sending your player unit to be rebuilt, that can be done
unless there is no one locally.  But keep in mind even if you shipped
it out,  it still has to be put together, in the piano; the conlrols
and supplies tubed right, the tempo regulator adjusted to the roll
motor, and rewind shut off valve working, the tracker hooked up and
working right, etc etc.  A lot of this can be bench tested, but the
best bench is the piano itself.

   The piano action  should be regulated, and any keyboard felts should
be replaced be done at this time.  A poorly or non regulated piano
action can rob the player action of as much efficiency as a leaky
rebuild job.

   I would think this would be a good place to make an inquiry about
sending the stack and parts out for rebuilding.

Richard Moody  ptt