FArrand-Cecilian Player

[piannaman at aol.com]

Thanks, Steve.  This has the big stack of space age looking metal contraptions.  There are major bolts holding it to the keybed and the side of the piano, and some wingnuts holding it to something, too.  I will leave it for a local player guru.  
 
The thing works. I don't want to change that!
 
Dave Stahl
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Grattan <lostchordclinic at ameritech.net>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 08:20:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: FArrand-Cecilian Player


Hi Dave,
 
Are the player valves-blocks? If so - are the blocks wood or metal?, Are the valves round, space age looking metal contraptions, is there an OH (of sorts) on the metal label in the spoolbox?.  Farrand used at least six types of actions.  Most are very difficult if not impossible to restore - especially the space age looking one.  Does the player work?
 
At any rate - do not endeavor to remove the action unless you have at least written approval from the customer - rendering you absolved of any damage to the stack so they can't come back and claim you broke it at a later time - even though it probably dosen't work. Make sure it states that the player does not work - if that is the case.
 
If you do remove it - you need at least two people to pick it out of the piano.  Most of these mechanisms were pot metal and very fragile. 

Not a fun one but very heavily built.  We have a lot of them in our area.  Any morer questions, please write.
 
Steve Grattan
Lost Chord Clinic
 

piannaman at aol.com wrote:
The mother of one of my son's classmates called awhile back and said she has a player piano with one key not working that also needs tuning.  Not making any promises, I told her I'd go check it out.
 
I went out yesterday and looked at the piano.  It's a Farrand-Cecilian player from 1910 or so, a massive fortress of a piano.  The cause of the malfunctioning note is a broken brass flange, the access to which is extremely well guarded by a player mechanism the like of which I've never seen.  
 
I understand that these are reproducing players.  It is quite a nice piano, other than lots of action wear and neglect.  
 
So how does one get to the action?  I was trying to find a way to get inside to replace the tongue of the flange that broke off, but it looks like a job of at least two people and several hours just to be able to get access to the piano mechanism.
 
I directed the lady to a player specialist.  Afterward I did some searching on the web and found affirmation that these pianos were solidly built and difficult to work on.  
 
Any of you player specialists have tips for gaining access to the inner sanctum of this piano?
 
Thanks,
 
Dave 
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