I recently appraised an upright player that has been in the family
since new and is now in need of a full restoration. It is a 1917
Wurlitzer upright piano with a Recordo system, but fully foot-pumped,
no electric devices involved.

The first thing I noticed was the roll motor is a clockwork spring,
apparently wound via some levers to the pumping pedals. It even has
a fly-ball governor on it.  The second thing is the stack, which has
separate valve blocks, held on with bridging springs, like an Ampico.

There are two things troubling me about the rebuild: 1) the condition
of the motor spring -- I can probably get help from gramophone folks on
that one, though; 2) tubing of the Recordo, as the rubber tubing has
hardened, cracked, and most of it is not in place. This too, can
probably be figured out with some analysis. I had to figure out this
part on my Cable-Recordo (Style B) although more tubing was existent on
mine.

I am assuming because of the age and the lack of an electric pump that
this is an A style Recordo. I didn't actually figure out where the
modifying box is or was, although I didn't see any empty screw holes
showing.  Dumb me, with my cell phone in my pocket, I didn't take any
photos!

The owner is very interested in getting the piano restored, and has set
aside funds for it, probably enough for a full restoration; it's so
nice to deal with a customer who is used to spending money for what she
wants.

So, has anyone out there run across such a critter or similar one?

Thanks,
David Dewey

P.S.: Yes, I've looked in my books (Reblitz, Ord Hume) and didn't find
any info -- not to say I couldn't have missed it.