[pianotech] new ivory

[Mike Morvan]

Ed,
    We use 1 piece Camel bone, 2 piece Water Buffalo bone, and Ancient Wooly 
Mammoth Ivory as well as Elephant Ivory. All are natural keytop materials so 
they are all cool to the touch, wick off moisture and grip your fingers. The 
properties of Ancient Wooly Mammoth Ivory are the same as Elephant Ivory the 
only real difference is the color, and unlike Elephant Ivory, Ancient Wooly 
Mammoth Ivory can cross international borders because it is an extinct 
species. Bone has larger pores and they are visible requiring more 
maintenance (cleaning & buffing), it is a little darker than new Elephant 
Ivory but is an excellent alternative to ivory. The bone is more popular 
with organists than pianists but it's gaining popularity.    Mike

Blackstone Valley Piano
76 Sutton Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569
www.pianoandorgankeys.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed Foote" <a440a at aol.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 2:09 PM
Subject: [pianotech] new ivory


> Greetings,
>    A customer is considering having her keyboard restored, which in this 
> case, means a new set of ivory or something other than plastic.  I heard, 
> several years ago, of alternatives such as walrus tusk, certain cow-bone, 
> etc.  being introduced to the piano market.  What, if anybody cares and 
> knows to tell, is the performance of these alternatives?  This is for a 
> piano teacher, the keys will be used a lot.
> thanks,
>
> Ed Foote RPT
> http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
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