Ok, I get the picture that people seem to be totally against
removing player action for what appears to be any reason
whatsoever.

Is it ever "OK" to do so? I have a old Starck. The player mechanism
itself is in "mostly workable" condition - having had at least a
partial restoration  done at one point. The piano itself is another
story. Much of the case has been painted, and the rest covered
with woodgrain contact paper - the piano action needs a complete
rebuilding - there are a half dozen string that cannot be tightened
do to loose pins - there are several large cracks in the soundboard -
several of the bridges are loose. Translation - the piano itself
is total junk, and not being a quality unit to begin with (from what
I've been told), is hardly worth putting any money into.

jwmiller
Saint Paul Minnesota USA