Removing action on Wurlitzer

[Avery Todd]

Gary,
   To my knowledge, there is nothing different about removing a Wurlitzer
spinet action and most others. The main thing, of course, is to release the
stickers/abstracts (whatever) from the ends of the keys. Then you need to
tie them up some way so they won't flop around, hang up on the ends of the
keys, etc. and possibly break some. I used to use a stretchable tie-down
type of thing with hooks on the ends to hook around the end action
brackets; like the type you might see on luggage carriers on top of cars.
   Then pull the strap up at the center two sections (or wherever you have
the room) to pull the stickers away from the keys, tilt the action back and
lift it out. The main precaution is to be careful of the dampers hanging on
the action posts, especially at the bass tenor break. I have seen spinets
with so little clearance between the keys and action, that the keys have to
be removed in order to get the action out!
   If I remember correctly, Wurlitzer and some others have hooks cast into
the action brackets so you can use a rod of some kind to push the stickers
up and then place the rod into those hooks. This holds everything up very
nicely and simplifies removing the action. Schaff (& probably others) sells
a sectional rod designed for this purpose. It comes in 4 pieces, designed
to be screwed together. In case you're interested, the part number is 3339
& sells for $13.36 a set in their new Tool Catalog. If you have to do much
work on spinets, it would be well worth the cost.
   As far as time needed, to be safe I would allow app. 30 minutes for
removal and replacement. Most of that time is spent releasing and replacing
the stickers on the keys. After replacement, it would also be a good idea
to go through quickly and check the lost motion adjustment. Invariably,
some will change. If this is a piano that has the U type hooks on the ends
of the keys, be sure you get them hooked back up correctly into the rubber
grommets.
   It's so nice just to be able to *talk* about spinets, because I rarely
have to work on any of them now! <G>
   Hope this helps. Good luck.

>I need to remove the action of a Wurlitzer drop action piano in order to
>repin or free up some sluggish flanges.  It will be the first one I've worked
>on.  It seems Wurlitzers are not common (fortunately?) in South Africa.  The
>removal appears to involve loosening all the abstracts.  Before tackling this
>job I would appreciate any cautions/hints from those with experience.  In
>giving a quotation for this work how much time is normal for removal and
>replacement.
>
>Gary Isaac
>Umtata, South Africa

_____________________________________
Avery Todd, RPT
Moores School of Music
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4893
713-743-3226
atodd@uh.edu
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