Today, I did a semi-emergency service call and tuning. At last year's Christmas party, a vase of flowers was overturned into the piano and at least a quart of water poured inside. They figured that since it was getting close to Christmas again, they should see if any damage was done and get it tuned for this year. The piano is a small Wurlitzer grand with a laminated soundboard. While the surface veneer was checked up noticeably, it wasn't obviously hurt too badly by the dousing. I got the impression that the damage would have been more severe to a solid board, but perhaps not. Fortunately, the water ran off of the board before it soaked clear through. Unfortunately, it ran into the action. Some water stains on the hammers, sustenuto tabs that didn't move so good, and some horrendous squeaks in the damper tray hinges seemed to be the worst of it. They got lucky. An hour and a half of lubricating damper guides, blocks, and sustenuto tabs, tightening screws, re-pinning tray hinges, and re-mounting lyre braces took care of enough of the problems to meet the objective. It was amazing how easy it was to get the tray out, considering how hard it was to get the cheek blocks and key slip off. The tray flange screws were easily accessible through slots milled through the lever arms between the flanges and the tray. Came right out, slick as you please. After re-pinning the four outsized flanges, I discovered that the screw head wouldn't pass through the milled slot to screw the tray back on. With hard headed tenacity and a magnetic screw retriever, I managed to squeeze in underneath the tray holding a screw between two fingers, snag it with the magnet stuck through the milled slot, guide the screw into the hole with one finger and the magnet, and holding the screw in the hole with the finger, remove the magnet and insert the screwdriver. I'm glad it worked, because that's the only idea I had that even came close to having a chance. The cramps should subside any time now. Ron N
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