Nah, You could do it, no problem, just take your time and re-do anything your unhappy with. I reckon you'd be an excellent restorer of these things. Paul

Hello Niels, This problem has to be a matter of elimination. Could be the gaskets, could also be a crack opening up on assembly. Did you shellac the inside surfaces of the bellows? Thats all I can think of. Paul

No Paul, I didn't but there still was something on them, I don't know if it's shellac, it looks more like some kind of varnish. the bellows themselves are very airtight. the reservoir is reasonably airtight. Unlike in Aeolian and other players Hupfeld did not fix the bellows directly to the reservoir bellow but fixed both onto a wind chest. this one must be leaking. It had woodworm damage which I repaired (at least I tried to). on closer inspection the chest is warped. I think that is a big part of the problem. I'll assemble a new one I think. but first I'll try to seal the insides of the wind chest, when that doesn't work I'll start rebuilding one.

Roll Changer............just amazing to see one listed on here... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150309906156&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_Stores_IT&refitem=190266754773&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4

Niels, The Hupfeld I'm restoring at the moment shares the the windchest as well with the two moveable boards. I noticed they werent particulary well sealed, so I sealed them with a coating of heavy mixed shellac. The edge of bellows cloth that runs down the side centre, can have a slim section of timber attached to hold it better. Also the corners at the widest part of the pump bellows has to be perfectly glued or it can lift and allow an enormous amount of leakage. If the chest is warped, do you have access to a jointer? that will allow you to shave any warpage down without necessarily requiring chest replacement, which would be a pain in the butt. I hope this works out, I'm sure you wont have too much trouble. Paul

Roll Changer............just amazing to see one listed on here... I want it...just wish I was rich :) Hey Daniel, I noticed that nice little Lincolnola has a bid

I think it's a Welte "concertola" - there is one in the QDB book somewhere I am sure. Welte also made them. Aeolian ones normally surface with pipe organs though piano versions exist. Some years ago the remote control unit from a concertola was on eBay - didn't fetch much as most people hadn't a clue what it was no doubt.

Pity, I was sort of hoping you would snap that one up, it's nice alright! Paul

interesting find on french ebay
i found this looking on ebay.fr, thought it was small for a pianola.....then realised that company built fine reed organs/harmoniums. and due to its smaller size...realised it is a player for organs. thought it may interest someone. im certain it isnt a common find. heres the link: http://cgi.ebay.fr/ANCIEN-PUSH-UP-PIANOLA-INTRUMENT-A-VENT-MUSIQUE_W0QQitemZ350125873556QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_YO_InstrumentsMusique_PianosClaviers_Pianos?hash=item350125873556&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1526%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Daniel, your rare & priceless player is back, bit of a reduction on the priceless: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PIANOLA-PUSH-UP-PLAYER-UNIT_W0QQitemZ300273818006QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Musical_Instruments_Instruments?hash=item300273818006&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 Starting to be worth the money now. Paul

I give up!!!! I'm not listing anything on eBay again. You know I just listed my Grandiola, for $A3500 barely covers the restoration. Not one taker. However I know that if I listed this fully restored unit for, say, $500, it would be sold in a day....lol Seems the global economic crisis has truely hit my player :) Having said all that, I have not seen any player on eBay Australia sell for more that $800, restored or not. I think (with the exception of rolls) it's simply the wrong venue. Paul

Hi Paul , i know exactly how you feel! , i had a few watchers on mine and just one enquiry.Then 2 week after the listing finishes i get a email saying they will be happy to buy for $1500 less then my starting price (if i did sell , it would less then what i payed for it). I guess been this close to christmas doesn't help either , so I'm going to wait till mid Feb 2009 and try again.I'm not out to make a profit on my Lipp , but just what i payed for it and i will be happy.I have some new adventures in the pipeline and just want to use the sale to cover the cost. Better luck in 2009 i hope :)