-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMDigest --

Hello everyone:  I am new to the forum and I just recently purchased a
Steinway Duo-Art upright.  The piano action is good and sound, however,
when you plug in the motor and turn it on you will see the pump is slow.
Disconnect the drive belt and you will see how well the motor works.

I find the rubber layer in the cloth has gotten hard.  Is there any way
to soften it without restoring the whole pump?  I heard the steamboat
pump is hard to restore compared with the box pump; any suggestions will
be welcome.  Also, is there any after-market replacement?

Thanks,
Paul Tang