John; I have successfully rebuilt two Sohmer Cupids. I think, if I remember correctly, that the agraffes do not provide down bearing, they provide up bearing. Look very closely at the position of the string inside the agraffe and you can see this for yourself. Perhaps some of these pianos had downbearing agraffes but I have only seen those two. The Sohmer Model 'B' also had agraffes and they are the same as used on the Cupid. The Agraffes can be cleaned up, as well as reanealed ( heated to realign their molecules, if I am not mistaken). Before you take them out, make a rack for putting them in while working with them. Mark the ends for treble and bass, I found that some of the agraffes I worked with had been ground down to fit a particular note so.......put'em back where they came out. Be prepared for longgg shanks on these hummers. I don't think that I was ever successful in locating a new source of supply for agraffes on the bridge. The method I used to clean them up is a 'fine' wire brush on the buffing wheel. Use of the fine brush allows you to clean up all the exterior surface without spalling or harming the holes. I had never heard about plate breakage problems on this model, but maybe my ignorance of the possibility kept me safe :-) All in all, I would say go for it, the lady can't use the instrument as it is, and when it turns out usable again you'll be a magician! Of course we won't discuss other possible outcomes. The only Caveat I can think of without actually seeing the piano is the pinblock, I believe I have seen more pinblocks on Sohmers separated/delaminated than on any other make. Hope this helps. Jim Bryant (FL)
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