Re: Plastic Keytops
By Charles Flaum
You don't have to change over to plastic keytops -- you can get used ivory from Schaff Piano Supply Co., tel: 800-747-4266, or from APSCO: tel 800-457-4266, part number 361015 heads & 361016 tails.
Remember originally there were over 20 different shades of ivory, and many were cut in different widths and lengths, so if you order, get more than you need. Also you will need some ivory clamps and glue wafers.
Most discoloration to ivory (if it's not a different shade) is layered -- meaning you can sand it away. To sand your ivories, once they are attached to the key, get a piece of 1-foot square glass or a mirror and back it with wood. Put a piece of #240 wet/dry and sandpaper on it and sand the ivory key while applying downward pressure. #240 grit will get most imperfections out. Then work your way up to #400 then #600. After that it's to the buffing wheel with buffing compound. If you need more info contact the Piano Technician's Guild -- they have some in-depth articles.
The best plastic keytops are from Yamaha. Now you can try the whole process of putting them on yourself or you can send them out to be done. The guy I use is:
Ted Oberhaus
Seneca Piano Key
4977 Frontenac Rd.
Trumansburg, NY 14886
tel: 607-387-3095
His work is truly great, with beveled edges on all sides (and he uses Yamaha keytops). As far as keeping the plastic non-greasy, it gets that way because it isn't absorbent. Try using Cory Keytop Cleaner.
Charles Flaum, RPT
CMF Piano Accessories
cmf@infi-net.com www.infi-net.com/pianostuff
1-800-792-4457 |
(Message sent Sun 26 Jan 1997, 23:17:39 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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