Three weeks ago, Jody was kind enough to sign me on to the list.  I
became aware of the digest through the Piano Technician's Guild Home
Page.  I don't remember that you are listed there, but surfing a couple
of hyperlinked home pages - I think one was Smythe - I learned of the
digest.

My main livelihood is tuning and repairing pianos in South Carolina.
Rather than shying away from players as most - make that all - of my
colleagues in this area do, I have succumbed to the fascination and
frustration of restoring them.  There is not a great deal of market for
this work here, but since I am the only one locally who will do it,
some does fall my way.  I am anxious to refine my capabilities as I
generally have a player or two in the shop for redoing, shop days
sandwiched in between days out tuning.  So, I see great value in the
advice that you who are into it more than I have to offer.

I am presently restoring an Autopiano that had the worst mouse
infestation I have ever seen (and I have cleaned out hundreds of pianos
and reed organs).  On starting, I followed the advice of CDC and our
local Department of Health (re: hantavirus) misting dilute Clorox
(Ouch!) to kill any potential virus.  The piano and I are both still
alive many weeks after, and I have identified no damage or increase in
rust from the treatment.  Any of you had experience cleaning out bad
mouse debris?  So far as I know, no piano technician has yet contracted
a hantavirus infection but I don't intend to be the first!

Thanks for including me in the digest list.

Bill Maxim
Maxim Piano Service - Columbia and Greer, SC