On the subject of obtaining piano supplies, I recently needed some
supplies and expected a negative response from the stores I contacted.
On the contrary, I found they were most helpful.

The first store directed me to a second one who they knew to stock
supplies.  At the second store, they had "student starter tuning kits"
in stock, but were willing to order anything I wanted and one of their
technicians was very helpful in identifying the tool I needed, even
though I didn't know the correct name for what I wanted.

I looked in the Yellow Pages (*not* in the Business-to-Business
directory) under "Piano Dealers - Supplies" and found two more stores
that I hadn't known of that specifically sell supplies to the public.
If you don't live in a large city, check out a copy of the Yellow Pages
for a nearby city in the library or on the Internet.  I suspect you'll
find a helpful source.

By the way, while some of the professional technicians on MMD are
cringing, you should know I don't touch my the insides of my piano,
ever!  I leave that job to the pro's.  (This was for a quick "tune-up"
on another instrument.)

Bob Fitterman
bobf@ilx.com