In following Deirdre Dixon's lead [140502 MMDigest], I am making
a brief re-introduction of myself.

I followed and participated in MMDigest almost 20 years ago when
I was rebuilding a 1919 Pratt-Reed player in a Fischer upright.
I then purchased a 1927 Chickering Grand with an Ampico reproducer,
which I proceeded to dismantle.  I repaired some cracks in the
soundboard, refinished the harp, including new decal.  The finish
is partly stripped.  The complete Ampico system is sitting on a
large table all labeled in my basement.  I petered out after that.

Over the years, I shifted my focus to learning old time banjo
(clawhammer) and then on to fiddle.  The player went to the back
burner, and the rebuild of the grand stopped altogether.  Now I am
tightening up and adjusting the player.  And I must continue
rebuilding the Chickering Ampico or else sell it to someone who
can.  I am thinking of my options and available time...

I just ordered some hose from John Tuttle to tighten up some older
hose fittings on the player and the wind motor was lurching with each
rotation, so I straightened that out -- one of the motor bellows was
not opening fully without some resistance.  A few stretches resolved
that.  The player stack and pump are in the middle of my living room
today while I tighten things up.

I have been using the player piano for one thing every day, though:
I use it to put my fiddle stand on, to hold my fiddle music and as a
shelf for my bow rosin and clip-on tuner.  Getting the player spruced
up mechanically is what I am doing now.  I just wanted to touch base
since I am putting some thought into players again.

Larry Toto
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania