I have a Pianolin (It says Lyon & Healy on the harp plate) that I am
restoring for a customer.  It was converted to Pianino rolls very
early, but other than that it appeared to be all original unrestored.

When I took the pump apart there was an inscription that only the pump
had been recovered in 1953.  This surprised me, since it had been done
with leather and schived exactly like the original, and the leather was
as dry and brittle as it had been there for 80 years.

My first question concerns the motor.  The 1750 rpm motor that is in
there looks to date about the same time as the instrument, but it's not
the original, as there is another set of screw holes in the mounting
board.  It would save me a lot of time and trouble if this is the
correct motor.  Is it the correct speed or do I need an 1150 rpm motor?

Second question: The mandolin rail looks to be the original, but I'm
not sure -- it's very crude.  Each _finger_ is made of heavy leather
with a sliver if veneer glued to it.  At the end is a crimped piece of
1/4" x 5/16" diameter brass tubing.  The leather here is all dried out.

I can make the new one this way but I would like to make sure this is
right.  Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Brian Thornton, Short Mountain Music Works
109 North Cannon Street, Woodbury, TN 37190
Ph: (615) 563-5814    smmw@mindspring.com
http://www.mindspring.com/~goatboy/smmw.htm