Hi All,  Rae Walzer wants to know if there's something simple that
could have been done to his player piano when it was tuned that is
causing it not to play now.  The answer is "Yes".

First, check to see that the vacuum hose leading to the air-motor is
connected.  Often a piano tuner will remove the air motor for easier
access to the tuning pins.

Next, look around in the upper half of the piano for any loose or
disconnected small tubes.  Play particular attention to tubing on
the left side.  Also, check to see that the chains leading from the
air-motor to the transmission are in place.

If the tuner removed the upper section of the player mechanism (which
is almost never required for just a tuning), he may have neglected to
screw everything back correctly.

For more information on testing a player piano, visit Player-Care.com
and read the various 'Tests' pages I've written.  Start at:

  http://www.player-care.com/test_me.html

Lastly, Rae asks about negative sentiments that some tuners have
towards player pianos.  Unfortunately, he is correct.  I've known at
least a dozen tuners who "hate" player pianos.

Fortunately, I've been able to convince most of them that we can work
together for the customer's best interest by recommending each other.
When I get a call for a regular piano tuning, I recommend a tuner in
their area.  When they get a call for a player piano tuning, they
recommend me.  (One hand washes the other.)

Musically,

John A. Tuttle