Dear List: I just got done unbushing the keys from the Steinway D which is over-used in our recital hall. The bushings came out in about 25 minutes since the last set was bushed using hot hide glue, but the dilema is this: The last time they were bushed I used quite thick cloth - .062 or better and it was barely thick enough for many keys. I am thinking of going to leather for longer wear, but would like input on what to do for the enlarged mortises. Should I be shimming them with veneer (using waterproof Titebond II?) to get back to a .050 thickness of cloth/leather, or just try to find a thick enough leather to end up with a tight bushing? I can imagine a thicker material might also cause problems on the shoulder of the front rail mortises - it could be trimmed flush but that adds one more step. Is it time to consider new keys - and what kind of expense would that incure? Thanks for your ideas. Jeff Stickney, RPT University of Montana jpage@selway.umt.edu
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