Odeola-Pleyel Player System

I am including all of the information I have collected about these two player systems on one page because from all appearances they seem to be the same basic mechanism. As far as I can tell, the identifying features include the Tempo Control Box, the Tracking Device, and the numerous steel (or nickel-coated) "L" connectors found throughout the mechanism. For those who would like to download everything I've collected, click here (28+ meg Zip File).

Ten years ago, I wrote an article for the Mechanical Music Digest about the Odeola action. To read it, click here. A few days later, Lorraine Aressy, a Frenchman, posted an article concerning the history of the company, some advertisements, and the Odeola Owners Manual. To view that page, click here. About a week later, Jean-Pierre Jouandet, another Frenchman, posted an article about his French, Klein player piano, and he included a detailed diagram of the stack/note valves. To view that page, click here or here.

Quite by chance, while corresponding with Claude Lavoie in Canada in late 2010, I mentioned the Odeola Owners Manual and he offered to translate it into English. To view a copy of his translation -click here, and click here for a PDF file of the original manual. I also received an interesting Power Point presentation from a customer in California. To view it, click here. About the same time, I got an email from Ken Vinen in Canada concerning manufacturers in his country. To view the email, click here. And, an email came in from a man looking to sell an Odeola player and rolls. It contained some information about the cabinet that is interesting. To view an edited copy of that email, click here.

Below, I have selected a number of pictures (that people have sent to me) which show various parts of the player mechanism. What impresses me most is the apparent quality and craftsmanship that went into every component in the system.