Hi All,  I've encountered three player pianos in my career that had
keys that did not move when the player was being used.  In every case,
it was obvious that the piano was specifically designed so that they
keys wouldn't move because the keys were weighted.  In two of the three
cases, the customer requested that I do whatever was necessary to get
the keys to move.  In one case, I had to completely remove the lead
weights.  In the other case, I used a 1/4" drill bit and drilled out
some of the lead.

What concerned me most about changing the weight of the keys was how
it would effect the performance of the piano.  However, other than the
touch being a little lighter, it didn't seem to have any adverse
effect.  So, I rationalized that the manufacturer simply wanted the
piano to have a heavier touch.

What about the third piano?  When I explained that removing lead would
cost extra and change the touch of the action, they elected to have me
do nothing.  Some time later, they told me they were glad they had _not_
changed anything.  They said it was great fun to watch the reaction of
children when they told them there was a ghost inside the piano!

Musically,
John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey, USA