Hupfeld-Phonola

[Frederick G Scoles]

On Wed, 11 Sep 1996, Eric Leatha wrote:

  The store in
> which I am gainfully employed would like their Grotrian-Steinweg grand
> equipt with a Hupfeld-Phonola player to actually play.  This piano was
> extensively rebuilt and the player (from what little I know about them)
> looks to be rebuilt.  It's condition:
> Player plays, but is quite anemic.  There are several openings hissing, but
> I have no more hoses to plug them.
> I realize the historical and financial importance of this instrument and
> want very much to bring it to its former glory.  In order to do this I need
> information.  Can anyone recommend a compendium, atlas or otherwise giving
> curriculum vitae relating to this unique breed of player?  Further, any
> text on the principals of pneumatic reproducers would be of immense aid for
> I plead ignorance in this realm of pianoVerk (but not disinterest).
> Thank you for any suggestions or comments,
>
> Eric Leatha, RPT

Eric,

I have not worked on a Hupfeld yet, but there seem to be some books and
pamphlets about their history and servicing/rebuilding.  The Player Piano
Co. catalog, Wichita, KS (free from Mr. Durrell Armstrong; and listed in
the PTG vendor yearly issue) lists relevant publications and parts for
sale.  Mr. Armstrong also is knowledgeable about some of these finer
automatic pianos.  The Art Reblitz book (published about 1984 and still
in print) on Player Servicing is the single most comprehensive manual
which also discusses the reproducers somewhat.  Q. David (Dave) Bowers
wrote a 1000+ page "Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments" which
was out of print for a few years, but is again available from Vestal
Press.  Some libraries have it (interlibrary loan, etc.).  It contains
photos, production tables, histories, etc. from around the world.  Arthur
Ord-hume (British) wrote about 15 books on automatic music instruments; a
few of his books discuss the Hupfelds.  Some are out of print, but all
are available inter-library loan.  An easy way to see the list of his
books is to check Library of Congress at:  http://lcweb.loc.gov/z3950/
One just has to fill in the blanks.  Another source for Hupfeld
information might be the AMICA publications and books (Dayton, OH).  A
book that discusses certain rebuilding procedures and materials in further
depth than the Reblitz book is Craig Bougher's (sp?) book on "Orchestrion
Building", available from Schaff or Player Piano.  I am sure there are
more books and information on Hupfeld, but these are the ones I have seen.
The Vestal Press in Vestal, NY has helped me at times in locating books
and parts suppliers.

Fred Scoles, RPT