Key End Felt

[Robert Goodale]

Avery Todd wrote:
<snip>

>    What I'm wondering is if anyone has ever removed that felt and
> installed regular key end felt onto the keys? I'm considering doing
> that since I already have everything apart anyway. If so, are there
> any pitfalls I need to watch out for? It seems like it would be much
> more stable.

<snip>

>    Am I missing anything? Any thoughts, warnings, etc.?
>    Thanks.

I don't think I would do it.  Kawai designed the piano this way for a
reason, be it geometry, the way in which the parts align, or whatever.
Furthermore the keys may require altering, (i.e. notching or shaping) in
order to make the felt properly fit.  There may even be concerns with the
damper tray lifting correctly or the sostonuto working right.  If your
problem is friction you may want to consider replacing the existing felt
on the underlevers.  It may have compressed and deformed over the years.
I don't believe that I would make any other changes.

Rob Goodale, RPT