Hi Everyone, My name is Dave Dillon and I've been listening-in on the
MMD for the last month or so.  I'm 36 years old, live in the Boston
area, and a novice to player piano restoration.  I recently purchased
a Stroud Pianola (Metrostyle Themodist vintage 1927) with an Aeolian
player action.  The piano "looks" to be in reasonable condition,
however the player mechanism is not functional.

I had grandiose plans of restoring the piano back to its original
state myself, but after reading the comments of the experts here
on the MMD, as well as a few chapters of Reblitz' "Player Piano
Restoration", I'm not sure this is a reasonable tack to take.
(I don't think my experience in antique boat restoration will be
of much help to me in this endeavor).  I hope, for that matter, that
the piano is worth the cost of the restoration effort.

I've not given up the ship just yet, however.  Once I become a bit
more familiar with the technology I figure I'll try to find an experi-
enced player technician to properly assess the condition of the
instrument, as well as help direct me in its restoration.  Any
comments or suggestions will be gratefully received.

Does anyone know where I might be able to find a schematic for an
Aeolian player of this model/year?  Thanks in advance,

Dave Dillon¶
dilda02@cai.com

 [ Welcome aboard the 'Music Ship MMD', Dave!   My favourite pumper
 [ is my Stroud Pianola -- it's the "Model A Ford" of players.  But
 [ the old master rebuilder told me this about vertical pumpers:
 [ "You will invest $2,000 in rebuilding it and it will still be
 [ worth only $500, unless it says 'Steinway'".  That was 25 years
 [ ago, and I've received my investment back in pleasure, many times
 [ over.  Good luck with your restoration!  -- Robbie