Ivory Test

[Philip Jamison]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but there is a simple test for ivory. This
works "remotely" (ie; if you want to know about a piano you can't see
in-person). Straighten out a paper clip and heat the end with a match or
lighter. Touch the hot end to an unseen part of the key top, like the tail
end. If it smells like burnt plastic or ivorine (ie; camphor). it's not
ivory. (It won't catch fire.) Ivory won't react much to this. If it does, it
smells like burning finger nails.



Philip Jamison Pianos
West Chester, PA