[pianotech] Ivory

[Ron Nossaman]

Thomas Cole wrote:
> I can't remember being asked for the old ivory, but now that you've 
> brought this up, I will in the future declare when the keys are picked 
> up that the old ivory will be either discarded because of damage or kept 
> for field repairs, to head off such an event happening to me.

I have, and saved it for them. Not on an outside wall, not in 
a basement, move it out from the wall to tune (but leave the 
45,000 piece Nativity set on top, and the ivories are very 
valuable - even if they're celluloid. You know.


> I have spoken to scrimshaw artists about taking old ivory but never got 
> anyone interested, even if it was free. Maybe the ivory is too thin?

I've sold a very little to woodworkers and luthiers for inlay 
work. I've sold much more music wire to industrial outfits 
looking to stretch a high tension straightline, and people 
removing windshields.
Ron N