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HI All, In a personal letter, Robbie Rhodes asks: How can one distinguish between the Standard, the Amphion, the Pratt-Read and the Simplex player actions? The Standard action uses a four hole (or double-hole) tracker service and the bellows on the tracker device are horizontally oriented. It also has an "S" monogram on the pump pedal mats. Amphion made two types of actions. Prior to 1913 the two wooden sections of the three valve chests were glued together with a cardboard divider, which included the valve seat as a clinched grommet, dividing the upper and lower chamber containing the rubber cloth pouches. The later type had the 'clamp-on' unit valves; first the upside-down type, which is most common, and later with the valve facing up. Amphion is also recognizable because the exhauster bellows are mounted on the front of the wind trunk which open at the top. The most positive identification of the Pratt-Read action is probably the valve, which looks something like a very small wooden yo-yo with a hole on the side with the leather and a wooden tip protruding outward on the side without any leather. To examine the valve, remove the cover plate on the atmosphere side of the valve. The Pratt-Read actions were of the two tier type. The early models used a primary valve. In either case, the secondary valves were oriented horizontally. The style A had pneumatics that face forward with linkage to lever underneath the player stack. The primary valve was to the rear, under the row of pneumatics. The style B had a double row of primary valves on top of the action. But it took more of a form of models to follow in the single valve type, with the valve over the pneumatic. The later single valve actions had a dowel through a guide rail connected by wire linkage to the pneumatic finger, and another style (32) had the front of the pneumatics slightly elevated and with an extended finger on the bottom, to meet directly with a regulating button on the abstract of the piano action. Another popular action is the Simplex. The Simplex uses a patented tracker bar with 'trapazoid' looking holes. It also has detachable unit block valve/pneumatic units and the three tier stack was designed to be 'universal' in adapting to various piano scales. The vast majority of the information above came directly from the Player Piano Co. parts and pubs catalog (1983-1985). Hope this helps, John A. TuttleBACK
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Since "Player-Care" is an internet business, I prefer that we correspond via E-Mail (click here to fill out the 'Request Form'). However, if I'm not in the middle of some other activity, you can reach me at 732-840-8787. But please understand that during the hours from 8AM-5PM EST (Mon-Sat), I'm generally quite busy. So, I probably won't answer the phone. If you get the answering machine, please leave a detailed message stating the reason for your call. Also, repeat your name and phone number clearly and distinctly. By necessity, I prioritize everything in my life. And, if you call and just leave your name and number, and ask me to call you back, it might be a day or two before I return your call. Why? Because I don't know why you want me to call and I might not be prepared to assist you in an effective and efficient manner. If you leave me an E-Mail address (which I prefer), spell it out phonetically. The more you do to help me, the more I can help you in return. Don't rush. You have four minutes to record your message. |
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