Modern Aeolian Players-Accessing the Piano Action

Since Aeolian used the same basic configuration on all of it's foot pumped/electrically driven units, the information has been turned into this webpage. For the 55 page Service Manual about the Standard Pneumatic Action used in the entire line of modern Aeolian player pianos (both 64-note and 88-note types) -- Click Here Player-Care now sells the Aeolian-Type Plastic Block Valves - Click Here for More Information.

HI Rex, 

You are obviously referring to the modern Aeolian console 
and spinet players, made from around 1961 through 1986. 

Your questions, and the answers which follow will make a 
good addition to the database of information I've been 
compiling on the modern Aeolian players.

1. How do you remove the player stack from these pianos to 
service the action when the tracker bar is mounted above the 
keybed and the pneumatics are below the keybed?

ANS. You don't! First, remove the air motor, bass and treble 
soft devices and the soft pedal rod. Then loosen the leather 
nut/s on the manual sustain linkage and disengage the sustain pedal 
rod from the piano action (don't try to remove the rod from 
the piano). Next, disconnect the tempo control linkage on 
the far lefthand side of the player action. It's a little hard 
to access the leather nut since it's down in the space 
directly behind the left cheek block. Remove the honky-tonk 
rail if present.

Now, locate and remove the four screws that hold the upper 
platform in place (on the extreme right and left hand edges 
of the platform). Locate and remove the support brackets 
holding the spoolbox to the piano. Locate and remove the 
two cap nuts on the platform.  Not all Aeolian products have 
the cap nuts, which are located in front of the spoolbox, 
just to the right and left of the box.

Depending on the model, it is also advisable to disconnect 
the stack cut-out tube at the cut-out valve and any remaining 
vacuum supply tubes leading to the tracker device and/or reroll 
device.

Now, all that's left connecting the upper and lower portions 
of the player assembly are the note tubes. Leave them alone!

Take a thick movers blanket and place it over the keys, cheek 
blocks and arms of the piano. (I fold the blanket in fourths 
and lay it lengthwise across the whole front of the instrument. 
This is done to avoid scratching the piano. 

Next, lift the upper portion of the player mechanism up an inch 
or so and move it towards the front of the piano. It will usually 
move about six inches. Be careful not to drag the underside of 
the platform on the two support rods to which the cap nuts were 
connected. There are tubes running under the platform that can be 
easily damaged. Also, (in some models) there is a flap-type valve 
mounted on the underside. 

With patience and persistence, you can move the whole assembly 
far enough towards the front of the piano to get to the action.
But you're not done yet!

Next, remove the piano action frame nuts ands any screws holding 
the action frame to the piano. Also, if present, remove 
the small wooden blocks on the inside sides of the piano to 
which the front board/music rack is connected. 

Now the action is ready to be removed from the piano. And at 
this point, you have a choice to make. You can either ask for 
assistance from the customer or make a support rod to keep 
the player action from falling backwards while you remove the piano 
action. I prefer asking for help. It makes the customer feel 
needed and most are happy to help. If not, have a piece of 
1/2" doweling on hand and cut it down to size, and place it 
between the uppermost part of the plate and the uppermost 
part of the spoolbox, giving yourself as much room as possible. 

Now, gently remove the piano action.

Naturally, to install the action and upper player portion, 
reverse this procedure. But remember to attach the sustain 
rod to the sustain lever after putting the piano action back in 
the piano.

2. Can you let me know where I can get technical information 
on the regulation and repair of these player actions?

ANS. I sell the 55 page Service Manual, which covers 
the general testing and regulating of all the modern Aeolian players. 
(88-note and 64-note Standard Pneumatic Action). The cost is $29.55 
plus $5.80 for USPS Priority mail/w Delivery Confirmation. 

Send check to:

John A. Tuttle
407 19th Ave.
Brick, NJ
08724-2605

Extra note: When it becomes necessary to adjust the lost motion 
adjustment (piano action), I've found that it's easier to make 
coarse adjustments with the action out. Then once the action is 
back in, you won't spend so much time leaning over the player 
action and adjusting each capstan the full amount. There is 
NO easy way to adjust the capstan, and the tool I use is made 
from a relatively soft metal that can be bent something like 
this: ____/ , which makes it easier to access the capstans. 
You cannot watch the capstan while making the adjustment, it's 
all done by 'feel'.  Just writing about it gives me a backache. ;-)

Musically, 

John A. Tuttle
===============================================================
   
At 10:48 AM 10/20/99 -0000, you wrote:
>Dear Mr. Tuttle
>
>I am a piano tuner and am do basic work on players when needed. A few of my
>customers have Aeolian players in direct blow action style pianos. There are
>two questions I have that I am hoping you might be able to help me with. 1.
>How do you remove the player stack from these pianos to service the action
>when the tracker bar is mounted above the keybed and the pneumatics are
>below the keybed? There is not enough room to remove the action with the
>upper assembly in, but there is not an obvious way to remove the player when
>the tubing is routed around the end of the keybed. 2. Can you let me know
>where I can get technical information on the regulation and repair of these
>player actions?
>
>Thank you for you time and consideration.
>
>Rex Roseman

Be sure to enclose your name and mailing address. The manual will arrive within 4-6 days
after your check clears (two days) my bank. (Price valid in US only)

Or, purchase the manual online - Click Here!