MMD > Archives > August 1996 > 1996.08.10 > 05Prev  Next


Electrical Switches for Pianos
By Craig Brougher

This is an important subject for all who own original electric player pianos. Sooner or later, those pianos are not going to start up anymore because their electrical switches have burned up. Many are already so close to that now, the owners might be surprized. I have opened switches that were working, only to discover that they might work just a few dozen more throws before they go out permanently.

The difficulty is in finding a push-pull switch which actuates on the pull, rather than the push. The original electrical switches used are not made anymore, so whatever we locate will have to be retrofitted to a degree. It may be necessary at some point to let the pull rods actuate a microswitch which fits into the original switch housing, and in turn operates a remote power relay.

Does anybody have any ideas in regard to the coming piano switch shortage? If I could find the correct switches, I would install a new one in every player piano I rebuilt, plus, I would contact previous rebuild customers and offer to send them a switch replacement.

Craig B.


(Message sent Sat 10 Aug 1996, 14:52:31 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Electrical, Pianos, Switches
Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation
No PayPal account required
SSL Certificate
by
Let's Encrypt