I'm cross posting this from the PIPORG-L list. It might be neighborly
of us to provide them with a name of a restorer in Nevada, or further
advice than what I've proffered.

> Date:    Mon, 2 Dec 1996 18:44:41 -0800
> From:    "Mark S. Towne" <mstowne@ix.netcom.com>
> Subject: Lauter-Humane Player Piano (non-organic)
>
> I have a quick question regarding a player piano question.
>
> A neighbor of mine obtained a 1914 Lauter-Humane Player Piano recently.
> The piano is not tracking the roll properly, and the roll shifts to the
> right.  There is a narrow metal bar connected to a bellows on the left
> side of the roll mechanism.  Pushing the bar to the left re-aligns the
> roll over the correct vacuum-holes.
>
> Can anyone help with a solution to this, or perhaps know of somebody
> that can respond to me with some help.
>
> Thanks and regards,
>
> Mark Towne
> Las Vegas, NV

Your neighbor may need to have a _player piano_ technician or rebuilder
take a look at the Tracker mechanism. The problem may be in the tracker
unit: the thing that detects the four side tracker holes and realigns
(tracks) the paper in the opposite direction to keep it centered.

Check the simple stuff first:

   1) Does it work with some rolls but not others? Old rolls with soft,
damaged edges will cause false signals to the tracker unit.

   2) Is the top spool's brake adjusted tight enough such that there's
enough tension on the roll when it's played to hold it against the
tracker bar firmly?  To fix this only requires a small screw driver,
and should be obvious to see.

   3) Are the tubes which run from the tracker bar to the tracker unit
bad?  Be suspicious of lead tubing, and be careful -- they crack if you
look at them the wrong way, causing false signals sent to the unit.

   4) Can you see any obstructions or binding in the simple linkage
between the tracker and the spoolbox mechanics?

There's probably more I can't think of now, but if these items are
solid, something's possibly let go in the tracker, which is not
terribly complicated to have fixed.  Check your phone book, or call
around to good piano stores for names of rebuilders in your area.

K a r l   B.   E l l i s o n¶
Ashland, Massachusetts  U.S.A.¶
KBEllison@aol.com¶
http://members.aol.com/kbellison/kbe.html