Omigod, it's a birdcage! That was my first reaction. How did I fail to catch the signals or ask the right questions on the phone? At second glance, however, it wasn't that bad. A Berlin-made F. Weber #9505, although the name Schober was under the keystop rail. Almost pristine condition and good workmanship. Just needed a little tuning, regulating, and fix the loose hammers and sticking jacks. Time to remove the action. A couple of pins release the action posts at the top, pivot forward and out she comes, right? OK, the pins are out, why won't it pivot or lift out? Because each post is screwed to another panel jutting up from the key frame, that's why. Three screws in each post, going in from the side. Not even enough space for an angled screwdriver. So...the screws were already in when the action was mounted. OK then, the panels themselves come out, still attached to the posts. Some detective work and removal of the kickboard reveal a screw from underneath going through the very back of the key frame up into each vertical panel. Once removed...still won't budge. There's another screw somewehere farther forward where the frame is resting on the key bed. OK, so the whole action, including keyframe and keys slides out, right? But how? No screws holding the cheek blocks from under the key bed or any other place that I can see. Looks like it's screwed in from under the key frame, which is resting on the key bed. And the keyslip looks like it's screwed into the key frame back to front. I removed a few keys to see if there are any screws accessible that way, but found nothing. Everything is as solid as a rock, but what's holding it in place? Anyone got a clue? Paul S. Larudee, RPT Richmond, CA
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