----- Original Message ----- From: Paul <tunenbww@clear.lakes.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 8:58 AM Subject: M Schulz Player List I was asked by a local restaurant to install a power unit (pump thingee) in their recently acquired M. Schulz player. I checked the player over and replaced some tubing and have it working-sort of. My diagnostic skills are limited ( Aeolian factory training in the 80's),which I've explained to them, but there is no one in this area to take the job. The player works but is very weak, with many notes not hitting. I have set the speed control to zero to see if the reservoir holds and it takes about 5 seconds for the bellows to relax. Will it work to install the powered pump and a rewind unit for now and anticipate other repairs, or am I headed for a lot of trouble. Is there something simple I've over looked? Paul Chick Installing an electric "pump" may hasten its demise. The critical component for any player is the pouch. In Schultz there is no pouch. Instead they put in a miniature pneumatic covered with zephyr skin. It works the opposite of the player pneumatic, it blows out instead of being sucked in. And that is what might happen when an electric vacuum is attached. Once these literally "blow out", ie the old material crumbles, hastened by the increase in vacuum, the valve won't work. If the valve doesn't work its pneumatic won't work, and of course the note won't play. You might try a regular vacuum cleaner to see what happens. If it wheezes for a couple of rolls wo self destructing, then you can take a chance on installing the comercial unit, which might get it through a couple of more rolls. I have seen the insides of only one Schultz stack and that was about 6 times. It had been recently rebuilt, but wouldn't play right. I believe the rebuilder finally installed an electric unit, and/or offered a trade back. For complete rebuilding instructions see the Player Piano Co. catalog of 1983-'85 and before. By now they must sell reprints. Maybe they can be rebuilt but I wouldn't want to risk business time and reputation on one. >From that early experience I have always turned them down. ---ric
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