On the advice of two MMD readers, I contracted Brooke's Piano in
Sacramento to move my 1926 Steinway OR Duo-Art.  Being somewhat nervous
about the affair, I offered some of the advice I received on preparation
(tightening motor transit screws and tipping onto a raised dolly/skid).

I got a call back from the owner's wife asking why the motor needed to
be tightened, and she commented that her husband did not want anyone
"telling him how to do his job".  I explained why this needed to be
done and apologized for sounding like a pregnant mother.  The discussion
went on to how many people would be doing the job -- turns out it would
be two people.  I immediately became suspicious.

I then remembered all the horror stories about tipping pianos and
resting them on the pedal lyre.  I had traveled to the seller's house
to pay him and was encouraged to take the bench, music stand and pedal
lyre with me.  Last night I called Brooke's and left a message that the
pedal lyre was not with the piano and asked if it might pose a problem
for them.

I came home from work to find a message on my answering machine stating
that my removing the pedal lyre was a "safety violation" and they were
canceling my contract and refunding my deposit.  Good thing, too!  My
pedal lyre has a loose joint that would have likely failed causing a
huge amount of damage!

I've since contacted another mover who will send a team of four men to
do the job.  This mover said he would never use the pedal lyre method
on an instrument that old, especially an art case!

I appreciate the referral to Brooke's but it seems being a cautious
consumer is still a good policy!

Ed Chaban