[ D.L. shares his correspondence with another piano tech who admits
 [ he is grouchy.    -- Robbie


>> A music store has asked me to spritz up a crappy Kimball player
>> they got on trade...


Expect these pianos to be slightly asthmatic usually because the
suction motor needs to be taken out and cleaned, or perhaps even replaced
reusing the old box, of course.  Get the motor at Grainger.  Clean the
armature where the brushes make the sparks with some fine sandpaper.

These Kimball units work very well and it is doubtful that the valves
which are gum rubber or even the pouches will fail in the foreseeable
future.  These quad valves can be popped apart for repair if needed,
though.

Their big suction waster is they are glued on with airplane glue to
the wooden decks.  I have found these with most of them loose from the
wood.  I had to take them out and drill a hole in two opposite corners.
I made cork gaskets for each one and screwed each one down to the wood.
Major improvement.

However,  the _major_ problem with them is the roll motor/transmission,
namely the gear box.  You must remove this, pop it open and clean it
all in kerosene or carburetor cleaner.  Re grease with white Lubriplate
(lithium grease).  If you do not, the gears will strip out and destroy
themselves.  You are extremely lucky if they have not already done so.


>> ... Boy, do I hate modern players! ... I hate the old ones too.


You say that you hate the old players but in the last thirty plus years
I have been asked to restring and replace action in many, many uprights.
The only reason they did not toss most of them out instead is because
they were players and owned by Auntie Maude or Granny Cora.

People will more likely restore an upright if it is a player, even
though it will cost twice as much if you include the player.  They are
really awesome pianos when they are recrowned, restrung and have a new
action.  There are quite a few Steinways, Knabes, Baldwins, that are
players.  They were saved from the dumpsters because they were players.
They get lots of respect once they are restored.

D.L. Bullock    St. Louis
http://www.thepianoworld.com/