Player piano problem

[pianolady50 at peoplepc.com]

Jon has made good comments and asked good questions.  Notes NOT playing can 
be a variety of causes.  Notes playing once and staying "activated" are 
usually clogged bleeds.  Notes that play from the moment you start pumping 
until you quit are leaks in the tracker tubing or along the "signal" route 
someplace. Jon mentioned some other possibilities for leak locations.  If 
this is a "modern" Aeolian it is very common to have notes that do not work 
and is usually a failed plastic unit valve.

Debbie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jon Page" <jonpage at comcast.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 6:22 PM
Subject: Player piano problem


> "Not working"   hmmmm  Assuming they work when played by hand
> there are two branches off the flow chart...
>
> When the player is engaged, do the hammers stay off the rail.
> That usually is a leak between the tracker bar and valve, dislodged/split 
> tubing,
> loose valve fitting  or stuck-open valve.
>
> When the player is engaged, the note does not play when signalled... valve 
> failure,
> torn/porous cloth on pneumatic, dislodged pneumatic, clogged bleed (maybe 
> more
> sluggish). stuck-closed/dislodged valve.
>
> What brand of player, what type of stack?
> Here's one for ya... Are there primary valves?
> Is the roll tracking properly, that will cause 'missed notes'.
> -- 
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Page
>
>