Many thanks to both Craig Brougher and Robbie Rhodes to their comments
with respect to my queries. I may try a couple of the newer PlayRite
rolls, but I have visited the Playtime site mentioned (not slow at all,
even during the day) and found that their Ampico catalog was severely
limited to a few pops rolls. At least some years ago, PlayRite had
well over a hundred Ampico titles in their catalog.
To play 88-note rolls, I'll try yanking the #6 lines and see what
happens. RE Robbie's comments that I should get a foot-pumper and that
A's are "better" than B's, I'd reply (1) I have an A (upright), a B
(grand), a 7-ft grandfather clock, a Victrola Orthophonic console, an
Ariston organette, two cats and a chair in my living room. I suppose I
could do without the chair, but I haven't seen any foot- pumpers that
small. (2) IMHO, the A is great for A rolls and popular music, the B
is great for B rolls and classical. Mebbe it's the difference between
an upright and a grand, but that's how I use them.
A final question. My B is getting a bit wheezy. I restored all the
pneumatics, rubber and valve facings about five years ago, but tried to
do a couple of valve block pouches and determined that I had neither
the skill nor patience to do them well, so left well enough alone. A
number of them are getting pretty leaky--they do get a fair amount of
exercise. Any recommendations for shops who can do Ampico blocks? I
apologize if this is getting too commercial....
(Oddly, the A, which is 6 years older than the B, soldiers on with most
of the original valve pouches. They may not be as sophisticated, but
they are robust.)
Regards A. B. Bonds
|