I've recently put a vacuum pump into my 1912 Francis Bacon piano with
a Standard Pneumatic Action Company player.  I have been having a hard
time getting a good suction level from the pump.  When I set the Tempo
really low for some rolls then I have to lower the pump speed to keep
my stack from self-destruction (the leather nuts are at their last few
years).

Is there any way I can put a pressure regulation valve into the pump
reservoir to let it leak excess vacuum?

I have also been wondering if Duo-Art, Ampico and Themodist foot-pumped
players have that kind of regulation.  When you foot-pump a Duo-Art
roll and you have the reproducing mechanics on, can you still add
expression or is there a regulator to even out the pumping?

If anyone knows, please drop me a line at

Piotr Barcz
thepiotrcorporation@gmail.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]