Dave, In article <971130222029_31307026@mrin53.mail.aol.com>, DGPEAKE@aol.com writes >The problem with pre-moulded key covers are numerous. First of all they are >.90 when ivory is around .20 thick. They also are not made of ivorine and >therefore show a lot of scratches. The keytop also tends to crack. I agree that there is a thickness issue and they are not suitable for all pianos. However, I disagree about the scratches and cracking I'm unfamiliar with the product in the U.S. but I can only comment on the pre-moulded key tops which are used in Europe. We have no such problems. Most of the manufacturers use pre-mouldered plastic for their upright pianos and if this was an ongoing problem they would soon change. I also agree with you that a grained type of plastic be it Ivorine or cellulose has a far better appearance (or it may be the same product?). I fit more pre-mouldered key tops these days not from personal preference, I am requested to use these, most of my re-covering over the years has been for trade. If you think of the cost of the raw materials, pre-moulded sets of keys cost £7.00 in the U.K. and grained cellulose costs about £30.00 to do a set. So materials alone there is considerable difference, when you start to take labour costs as well. trade customers will not pay the difference no matter how nice they look. The French do produce a nice off white moulded key with slightly longer tails. I found these very useful and appealing for older pianos. Barrie, -- Barrie Heaton | Be Environmentally Friendly URL: http://www.airtime.co.uk/forte/piano.htm | To Your Neighbour The UK PIano Page | pgp key on request | HAVE YOUR PIANO TUNED
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC