I'm back rebuilding player pianos after a twenty year holiday.  I'm
doing a Shaw upright piano, serial #28401.  It has a Standard player
action.  I'm glad it has the Standard action,so that I can get back into
the swing of things fairly easily.

I understand that Shaw was in New Jersey until the early 1900's, when
they were bought out by Charles Steiff, of Baltimore.  My piano just
says "Shaw Piano Co., Baltimore."  Can anyone give me its approximate
age?

Anyway ... memories ... the smell of years and years of dust.  You can't
describe it, but you know it when you smell it!

While removing the lower unit, I found a metal bar with an electric cord
attached, hanging under the keyboard.  It turned out to be a "Moisture
Master" to keep things dry.  I had never seen one of these before.  Were
they popular?  Are they any good?  Or was this the electric blanket for
the mice that like to hang out in old pianos?

My last question is for the editor: Do you send us a little nudge when
our yearly donation to MMD is due?

Thanks,
Bill Sharkey
Long Island, NY

  [ I'll let Jody speak to your last question.  I have my contribution
  [ automatically sent quarterly and painlessly by my bill-paying
  [ service.
  [
  [ --Editor