Hello All,  I am restoring a stack for a 1923 Waltham piano, with
a late (wooden type) Otto Higel player action.  It has been rebuilt
before (very well, too I might add), and the pouches in it were
covered with zephyr skin.

The previous owner did not play the instrument, and when it was
infested with weevils, the low bass and high treble end pouches were
chewed on.  The ones with no damage still function very well, but
since I am replacing them all, I am wondering if I should use zephyr
skin again, or a different material of equal responsiveness.

In his book, "Player Piano Servicing and Rebuilding," Art Reblitz
indicates that zephyr skin shrinks and expands with humidity changes;
here in Arizona the relative humidity range can go from 80% to less
than 2%.  Is there a better material available and recommended for
replacing the pouches, or should I stick with the zephyr skin and
do my best to regulate the humidity around the instrument?

Clinton Gray
Hereford, Arizona