Kent, I see things here that are all too familiar. In photo two I see evidence of a plate crack that has been welded or finished over. Plate cracks are very common in these early Steinways. The tuning pins were originally straight up and down. The pinblock has rotated and that's why the action is trapped. I have seen this many times and the only way to get the action out is to use a small carvers gouge and make small grooves for each drop screw and flange screw. The rotation of the block may also be why the dampers are starting too soon. Check to see how close the wires are from the damper guide rail in the middle area. John Hartman RPT John Hartman Pianos [link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015] Rebuilding Steinway and Mason & Hamlin Grand Pianos Since 1979 Piano Technicians Journal Journal Illustrator/Contributing Editor [link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015] John Hartman The Universal, How-to, Hands-on Illustrator [link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015]
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