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<TT>Mr. Kerrick here brings up the topic of ivory keytops which has been
foremost on my mind over the past few days. We just sold a 1920's 6'7"
piano that we bought partially rebuilt, work now which we are completing.
All of the parts including the keys came boxed, but we were under the impression
that it had fairly intact ivory and this was one of its selling points
(how many stupid points does this one get?).</TT><TT></TT>
<P><TT>Most of the tails were intact, but most of the heads were missing
and those remaining were either damaged or inexpertly removed. However,
since we sold it with ivory, I opted to install a new used set of matched
heads and tails from two uprights but what a waste of resources!</TT><TT></TT>
<P><TT>From now on, I'm going to apply some guidelines as to which keyboards
should be restored and which should be recovered with plastic with points
like age, make, size and amount of damage. The high quote Mr. Kerrick cites
from Walker Piano Service is definitely one means of accomplishing this.</TT><TT></TT>
<P><TT>I would probably restore the ivory on the instrument in question.
We have an 1890's 9' Kimball(!) with a bad set of replacement plastic keytops
which not only will be restored to ivory but may get a new keyboard to
accommodate using broken ivory heads. Anyhow, enough of my venting.</TT><TT></TT>
<P><TT>Like Mr. Kerrick, I have little experience with Ivers & Pond
grands especially of this age and size; we have worked on many of their
uprights which can be very satisfactory instruments. I did some inquiring,
and the soundboard problems may be common to their older grands though
apparently they sound nice.</TT><TT></TT>
<P><TT>We are rebuilding a Henry Miller grand of comparable age and size
for a customer. It did not share the quality of workmanship which I assume
is described of this Ivers & Pond, but correcting these flaws and redesigning
parts of the scale should improve it both in terms of monetary and musical
value.</TT><TT></TT>
<P><TT>Clark Panaccione</TT>
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