I wanted to call this subject "Players suck" just to get some attention, but refrained. Technically correct, but often mistaken for a disrespectful value judgement. My problem: customer's Laffarge upright player, built 1919, player action nicely rebuilt 1970, still very clean and tight, works great, EXCEPT... When starting a roll, there is the sound of a major vacuum leak. The spool turns slowly, but no keys play. You have to turn the electric vac up to full power, something pops shut, then the piano plays perfectly, even after slowing the vac back down to the minimum. The pump is tight, the motor is tight, the action stack leaks only a little at the end gaskets. I think the action cutoff "gate box and vent block", between the pump reservoir and action stack is malfunctioning. It appears externally to be exactly like the photo in Reblitz's "Player Piano...", page 106, Illus. 6-17, third printing, 1986. I didn't have time to take it apart, but was hoping an expert would have an idea why this valve would be slow to close, needing very high vacuum. Any advice? Quick fix? Something else wrong? Greg Graham Closet player piano aficionado in denial __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
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