[ Pat Dewitt wrote in 050205 MMDigest:


>> You are probably aware of the player piano mechanism information
>> in a former version of the Player Piano Company catalog.   I use
>> it as a reference and will be interested in comparing these two
>> works.  The catalog has a list of piano manufacturers cross
>> referenced to the player mechanisms used in them.


Hi Pat,  When I first approached Durrell Armstrong about using the
information in his 1978-1981 catalog, there were about 50 player
mechanisms listed and cross referenced to about 650 manufacturers.
With the help of hundreds of people, that list has now grown to
cover over 925 player piano manufacturers and 79 player mechanisms.
You can access the information at:

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

Currently, Don Teach is providing me with even more detailed
information and fine diagrams which he got from the Danquard Player
Piano School.  The data covers about 30 different mechanisms, primarily
related to the note valves and striker pneumatics.

Thanks to the help of other technicians and enthusiasts, the database
of available reference materials and technical information continues
to grow. I like to think of Player-Care as the "411 operator" for the
player piano industry. I only wish I had more time to devote to the
many projects that I have already started.

By the way, I checked out the Archives web site that was mentioned by
Phil Dayson the other day.  It is quite impressive.  See

  http://www.archive.org/

Musically,

John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey, USA