New Remington, Shoddy key bushings

[MICHAEL MORVAN]

Kurt,
    The pianos produced today (high and low quality) are using an inferior grade (compared to 100 years ago) of bushing cloth that is impregnated with a glue-stick type of gummy glue. The cloth is inserted by machine, heated with a caul, and cut. This grade of cloth and nearly irremovable glue is what technicians of today and the future will be dealing with. This type of glue impregnates the pores of the wood, is extremely difficult if not impossible to completely remove and is not compatible with hot hide glue. I see a lot of mortise relief cuts and button replacement in the future if these pianos stand the test of time. Also be careful in using any heat with these new keyboards, the grade of wood and methods of making the mortises and buttons have changed also, and they will close up and distort in shape. Good luck.

Michael A. Morvan
Blackstone Valley Piano
Dedicated To Advancing The Art Of Keyboard Restoration
76 Sutton Street
Uxbridge, Ma. 01569
(508) 278-9762
Keymaestro at verizon.net
www.pianoandorgankeys.com                                                                                              

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: kurt baxter 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2007 1:17 PM
  Subject: New Remington, Shoddy key bushings



    I came across an issue in the field that I was hoping
  to get your collective opinion on.


  Brand new piano, a Remington... (Essentially a Samick
  with a marketing connection to Pramberger?) Anyway
  decent tone and tuning characteristics, but a very 
  disappointing keyboard. The keys themselves look well
  made, but the bushings are shoddy- 6 of them are so
  saturated with glue they *click* like they have no
  bushings, and the rest are much looser that I would 
  expect of a new piano. Some whites have more that a
  16th inch of slop and a few of the blacks move up
  to an 8th on an inch. (This is front bushing)

  So my question is: Is turning the oval front rail pin EVER 
  considered a valid adjustment on a brand new keyboard?

  Ethically and legally, what should my client expect
  from Samick?


  Just looking for a objective perspective.


  Thanks,


    Kurt 
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