[ Bruce Grimes wrote in 040722 MMDigest:


>> There will be four different examples of the Duo-Art fan accordion
>> expression system to view and talk about at a workshop to be held
>> at the AMICA Annual Convention...


Marvellous -- I only wish I could be there!  This kind of workshop
is so important in helping to map the development and history of the
various reproducing systems -- 'cerebral archaeology' at its best.

Here in England I have only seen one fan accordion system: an import
from the US.  Though Aeolian UK were also experimenting with mechanisms
that were easier or cheaper to produce and hopefully better, they
followed neither the fan accordion nor the Ampico C-pouch route, but
tried a system with bleeds controlled by poppet valves somewhat akin
to the Angelus Artrio.  I have only encountered, and never heard,
one example, almost certainly unique and experimental, in a Steinway
"O" grand.

Interestingly, these late systems couldn't use the original accordion
controlled spill valve; some seem to have abandoned the important spill
function (which modifies the dynamics); some I've seen in the US use a
cross bleed from the theme to accompaniment to mimic it (approximately).

May I make a plea to Bruce Grimes and Spencer Chase to publish whatever
information they discover from their comparisons?  And does anyone know
anything more about the UK developments, or anything similar in the
US?

Patrick Handscombe
Wivenhoe, Essex, UK