In a message dated 97-04-19 20:03:02 EDT, you write: << ,I noticed that the butts were border line and so i decided to tell her to change them with the new hammers.I told her it would cost about close to $2,000 dollars to put new abel hammers,shanks and butts,plus the regulation.Does anyone know if this price is about right for this job,I know that the butts are very expensive, can anyone let me know where i can get them and if this price is right. >> JP tuner: I recently did an 1883 and spent about 1K on hammers and butts and bass strings. Action parts from Pianotek. Prices were due to go up soon tho at the time. I left the damper levers in there, but did a whole lot of re-working on them. The spoons on the whippens were made of wood. Not easy to regulate. I agree with the other opinion that if you can at all possibly do it-replace the damper levers. Those are 400-600 a set. Since it is my piano and I play it at home, I don't worry about the occassional damper problem, I just fix it. But, if in the customer home, try and sell them on the job. It is alot of work, especially the sostuneto deal which you have to remove on the action rail to get in there good. Another thing, watch out for the center pins on the damper side. Last two sets I put in, the center pins walked. That is they come pinned too loose (Tolouse, Latrec) for the damper lever. Look into buying the next size up in center pins while you are at it for the damper side. It'll save you alot of trouble later. Yours Truly, Sam grossner chicago.
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