Tuning Player Uprights

[John Ross]

Hi Cliff,
I remove the complete top section, when I tune a player piano. Unless it is
one of the ones, made after roughly 1960, give or take, or a reproducing
player. Then I would do as Joe Goss suggested.
On the majority of the other players, take off the 2 or 3 tubes on either
side, marking them for replacement.  Remove the brace screw you mentioned.
Then there will be a screw at either end pointing down, or 2 to 4 screws,
going in from the front. Remove them and slide out the top assembly, and
tune as normal.
I would like to emphasize that you check out the unit for proper operation,
before removal. Otherwise you might be blamed for 'breaking' it, because it
worked before you touched it.
I would recommend that you borrow, or buy Player Piano Servicing and
Rebuilding, by Arthur Reblitz, to gain a working knowledge of players.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Cliff Lesher wrote:

> I read recently in Fine's Piano Book the following about player pianos:
>
>  "Many (technicians) won't even consent to tune them because the player
> mechanism is in the way and makes tuning difficult.  Actually, a
> knowledgeable technician can often remove the parts that are in the way
> quite quickly..."
>
> This left me with the impression that tuning a player would be nearly
> the same as tuning a "normal" upright.
>
> With these facts and impressions in mind, I faced my first player
> upright the other day.  I immediately removed the  brace that extended
> from the plate to support the "roller box."    I was about to remove
> this box altogether and the bellows assembly to its right when I saw all
> of the tubing connected to them.  This was enough for me to disqualify
> myself as "knowledgeable" for the time being.  This was a pretty
> frustrating tuning.
>
> Can anyone impart some knowledge please?
>
> Cliff Lesher
> Lewisburg, PA