[pianotech] Speaking of Players

[Ron Nossaman]

John Ross wrote:
> *Some exhaust valves on the pumper part, seem better designed than others.*
> *I have seen some with a metal plate above the leather, it has slots 
> where the leather moves when in closed or open position.*

Baldwin, I think, was one.


> *When I replace, I was considering the metal plate version, which seems 
> would be less prone to failure. The bent wire seems to be awkward, for me.*

I don't remember ever having any problems with them. I always 
bought leather from a local leather supply place and cut what 
I needed. Maybe you're holding your tongue wrong. <G>


> *Do you all go as was, or if a better way is found change?*

Usually what was there, unless I didn't trust it.


> *Doesn't seem to be much call for player work, and then they just want 
> it fixed to work, not fixed properly.*

That's been the case forever. Even in the 80s, when players 
were hot, very few wanted to spend the money to rebuild the 
piano, and I didn't want to put a rebuilt player back into a 
worn out junk piano. So the "patcher uppers" got the big 
majority of the player work and I got the job of telling them 
they got ripped when they called me to make it work.


> *I have four that I got years ago, intending to fix up and sell, but I 
> don't find there is any interest, so they are as they were. I have one 
> working one, and won't do anything to the others, till the operating one 
> is sold.*

Likewise, including a couple that were left for rebuild and 
abandoned.
Ron N