Ivory keytop substitute

[Tom Dickson]

Hi, Ted,

    I feel that if the piano is valuable, then we should try to match and 
replace ivory when possible.  I keep all old ivory from keytop jobs, so I 
can often match a few missing pieces.

    However, it is likely more reasonable, and more cost effective, to have 
new plastic tops put on.  Often, I have pointed out to a customer that I 
would not want to put on new, white tops.  To me the piano looks like an old 
person with brand new false teeth - the color doe not fit.  I prefer to use 
a grained ivory look.  And, that is usually agreeable by the customer.

    I have samples with me that I can lay down on a keytop so that they can 
see what it will look like.

    My apologies to any listees who have "new" teeth - just a comparison 
that seems to work :}

Sincerely,
Tom Dickson




>From: Ted Simmons <ted@yourlink.net>
>Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Subject: Ivory keytop substitute
>Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:24:34 -0700
>
>I tuned a Mason & Hamlin AA today that was in pretty good shape except that
>the keytops were a mish-mash of ivory pieces, most of them were installed
>without whitening underneath.  The keyboard looked horrible.  I tried to
>talk the owner into getting new keytops but when I mentioned plastic he
>cringed and refused to accept any material but ivory.  I haven't heard of
>any ivory substitute lately.  The July 1995 PTJ mentioned using bone but 
>the
>price was pretty high.  I think if I could show him a sample of a non-ivory
>keytop that looks and feels like ivory he would be happy with that.  Any
>thoughts out there?
>
>Ted Simmons
>Merritt Island, FL
>


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