[pianotech] Keytop Replacement In The Field

[Roger@Integra.net]

Terry,
You mentioned that the piano is a 10 year old C7. Yamaha keytop material is 
very consistent from year to year. I have Yamaha keytops in stock that are 
at least 15 years old and the color is consistent with the current Yamaha 
color. Your lucky that it is a Yamaha because their replacement keytops are 
precisely the same dimension as the original key stick. You can purchase an 
octave from Yamaha with confident that it will match both in size and color. 
There is an exception. Yamaha used a material called "Ivorite" on most of 
their 6' and larger pianos of that era. I suspect that piano would have it. 
You will need to call Yamaha and give them the name of the key and be sure 
to specify "Ivorite". I had to perform the same field replacement and you 
could not distinguish the replacement from the neighboring keys, other than 
it didn't have the accumulated surface scratches. Use PVCE glue. As for 
removing the old keytop; use your best judgment.
Roger Gable

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terry Farrell" <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:58 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Keytop Replacement In The Field


> Anyone ever replace a keytop in the field? I've never replaced a  keytop 
> in the shop let alone in the field - I just don't know if that  is done. I 
> guess gluing it on and trimming it would not be a problem,  but getting 
> the original off and fairing the key might be tough in the  field. Any 
> success stories? If so, r u willing to share your method?
>
> FWIW, this is on a cruise ship. About a ten year old Yamaha C7. I  guess 
> some razzle-dazzle Lav-Vegas type pianist zoomed the back of his  hand 
> down the keyboard, caught the sharp edge of the chip and did a  pretty 
> good job bloodying the entire keyboard before he was done. Was  likely 
> impressive to see. Probably looked like he was really putting  his all 
> into it! Kinda beats John Lennon yelling "I got blisters on my  fingers"!
>
> And as a side. It's been a while since I last did an AcrillyKey  repair. 
> How fast does that stuff set up. I seem to remember it sets up  fast and 
> you can sand it within an hour or so. That  might be my other  option in 
> this case.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> Terry Farrell
>
>