An exemplary 1912 foot pump player piano by Bush & Lane

Restorer and player piano expert Paul Manganaro describes
and demonstrates his 1912 Bush & Lane player piano. Manganaro restored the playing mechanism, and had the instrument restrung and new hammers installed roughly 30 years ago, keeping the instrument in a humidity controlled environment and done routine maintenance.

Because player rolls often have many more notes than a human can play, they are particularly hard on player pianos,. Wear on hammers is accelerated beyond what would be normal in the same time-frame for an instrument being used for hand playing, only, thus the need for new hammers on the Bush & Lane.

"The Bush & Lane Piano Company was originally established as the Victor Piano & Organ Company of Chicago in 1891. In 1904, the firm was changed to the Bush & Lane Piano Company (although the Victor brand name continued to be produced). By 1905, the factories were relocated to Holland, Michigan.

Bush & Lane was known for building exceptionally well made, heavily-built pianos that were extremely durable. The firm was made up of a group of industry experts who tirelessly studied the science of piano manufacturing, constantly improving their instruments in order to offer the finest quality pianos possible.

Bush & Lane offered a full line of upright pianos, player pianos, and grand pianos, all higher grand instruments that were sold all over the United States. Bush & Lane was especially well known for their elaborate cabinets and lavish use of exotic and rare woods. Along with the Bush & Lane name, the company built pianos under the brand names of Victor, Farrand, Cecilian, and Paulus. The Bush & Lane Piano Company went out of business before 1931 due to the Great Depression."
....courtesy The Antique Piano Shop