The Memphis-built Aeolians were constructed of very good materials,
however, they were carelessly assembled, and never regulated and voiced
properly. It's going to be a mess, but you are going to have to remove
the tracker-bar tubing to remove the upper player components. If the
tubing is rotten, this opens up another can of worms. Hopefully, you
can number the tubing.
A few had junction blocks at either end, screwed to the sides of the
case near the hammer line. On most of these, there is also a felt
strip extending across the top of the keys, towards the rear. This was
Aeolian's idea of a stop rail for the player action.
In almost every example I have seen, the hammer striking point is
incorrect. The tone of the piano can be greatly improved by resetting
this, regulating the action and voicing the hammers. The strings are
so short and the loading is so heavy that these little pianos need all
the help they can get tone-wise.
Good luck!
Andy Taylor
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