<HTML>Thanks for the help, ever= yone, with the guide rail advice. Have a better overview of how to approach things when whoever pays me to= go back and correct the problem.  The basic original question was how = much time might be involved in the whole process, so that I could give the d= ealer a reasonable estimate. Like it was said, the "political part" of the f= ix  is the hard part.  When they resolve that, I'm ready and willi= ng to effect the "mechanical part"; I actually enjoy regulating dampers. The piano, incidentally, is a newish Chickering 507 - made during the pr= e-receivership period, I'm guessing (read:  "Estate" piano), and was bo= ught "new" in late 2002. Great tips as usual, thanks especially David A., Gene, Ron, RicB, and Ji= m. Gratefully, Chuck</HTML>