In response to John Grant's posting yesterday [181217 MMDigest], I
would like to add to John's comments that Pratt-Read player actions
were available with at least two types of tracking mechanisms in
otherwise virtually identical player actions.

One Pratt-Read service manual describes both the mechanical type
and also the pneumatic tracker.  The pneumatic tracking device is
much more elaborate, being designed to track varying widths of rolls
automatically with no adjustment required by the operator.

Whether they were available concurrently I am not sure, as I have
unfortunately never recorded player action serial number data on
Pratt-Read-equipped pianos that I have serviced.  Both systems do
work very well in my experience.

I have always thought of the Pratt-Read player action as one of the
best, being a beautifully made product of high quality.  I also find
it less difficult than usual to rebuild, and extremely responsive in
operation.

John Rutoskey
Baltimore, Maryland