I have a minor problem compared to those generally mentioned here.
My beloved Hamilton piano (Baldwin's "school line" of uprights) has
a marvelous sound and new keytops.  It's nicely tuned at present.
But (and I knew this when I bought it) the action needs some work.

The hammer felts are hard and cause some of the notes to go whang
(though this has improved with playing), and the dampers don't damp
particularly well.  There's one key that occasionally needs to be
struck twice to sound the note; the problem is intermittent.

So what I need, I suppose, is an action overhaul.  I suppose I could do
some of the work myself -- I've read a lot of material on the subject
of piano upkeep -- but I don't feel qualified to do a good job; I have
no experience.

So, who should I talk to?  I assume that I need an action regulation
and felt repair or replacement.  Are piano tuners always qualified to
do work like this, or should I talk to Graves Piano, the patient people
who sold the instrument and who have a huge repair shop?

I assume that the action can be removed and brought to a shop for
repair, but is that typically necessary for a job like this?  I don't
have any problem with a job done here at home, nor do I care if the
piano is action-less for a week or so, but which is generally best?

And, though this isn't a big issue because I like the piano and intend
on keeping it, despite its relatively hideous finish, how much might an
operation like this cost?  I ask primarily because price is sometimes
an indication of the quality of work.

And in purely action work, does the piano tuners' guild have any
significance?

Thanks.

Mark Kinsler
Lancaster, Ohio, USA
http://www.mkinsler.com/