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Topic: Speaking of ivory............  (Read 2055 times)

Offline frichmondj

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Speaking of ivory............
on: October 05, 2005, 03:00:11 PM
I have  5 chipped keys on my Steinway and asked my tech if he could replace them with the same.  He said that no he couldn't and if he found some that he would use them on one he is reconditioning.  This just doesn't sound right to me as the tuner that used to come (long dead I'm afraid), always had extras and would occationally repair one for us.  Is there anyway to find these?  I have looked online and all I find are bags of old keys being sold for scrimshaw.  My guess is that all of them would be broken or chipped.  Thanks for the help.

Offline Floristan

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Re: Speaking of ivory............
Reply #1 on: October 05, 2005, 07:12:54 PM
Try a piano rebuilder -- they tend to keep a better stock of keytops, including ivory.  Also, small chips can be repaired, and most rebuilders know how to do this.  If all else fails, the chipped keytops can be replaced with unchipped keytops from the far ends of the keyboard (and then the chipped keys would be put in these locations).

Offline classicarts

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Re: Speaking of ivory............
Reply #2 on: October 05, 2005, 09:32:27 PM
I have  5 chipped keys on my Steinway and asked my tech if he could replace them with the same.  He said that no he couldn't and if he found some that he would use them on one he is reconditioning.  This just doesn't sound right to me as the tuner that used to come (long dead I'm afraid), always had extras and would occationally repair one for us.  Is there anyway to find these?  I have looked online and all I find are bags of old keys being sold for scrimshaw.  My guess is that all of them would be broken or chipped.  Thanks for the help.

I have located a few ivory keytops for you on Ebay.  https://cgi.ebay.com/Piano-Ivory-Keys-Keytops_W0QQitemZ7355739834QQcategoryZ64431QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem   If these aren't the type your looking for, look around on Ebay they have great selections of all piano parts on different occasions.

Offline frichmondj

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Re: Speaking of ivory............
Reply #3 on: October 06, 2005, 01:04:31 PM
thanks folks.........i have looked on ebay and never could find any that looked usable, but this looks like it might work.  Sadly, I already have put 2 on the ends...........

Offline classicarts

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Re: Speaking of ivory............
Reply #4 on: October 07, 2005, 10:32:28 PM
thanks folks.........i have looked on ebay and never could find any that looked usable, but this looks like it might work.  Sadly, I already have put 2 on the ends...........


Surely, I'm glad I can help.  But, Ebay do have some great stuff and you can always look on the internet as a source.   :D

Offline gfiore

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Re: Speaking of ivory............
Reply #5 on: October 08, 2005, 10:50:37 PM
 It's easier to get the chipped keys repaired. You will never find anything of use on E-bay parts wise. Ivory keytops need to be matched for color, grain, and thickness. It also depends if they are one piece tops, or two piece. There are a few good shops in the USA  that will also replace with new ivory tops( this ivory must be documented as being at least 100 years old), for a few thousand $.
George Fiore  aka "Curry"
 Piano Technician serving the central New Jersey Area.
My piano- A 2004 Bosendorfer Model 214 #47,299 214-358

Offline classicarts

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Re: Speaking of ivory............
Reply #6 on: October 16, 2005, 06:00:13 AM
thanks folks.........i have looked on ebay and never could find any that looked usable, but this looks like it might work.  Sadly, I already have put 2 on the ends...........


I have found another listing for ivory keytops. ;D
https://cgi.ebay.com/IVORY-PIANO-KEYS-20-pieces_W0QQitemZ7357698512QQcategoryZ64431QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
For more information about this topic, click search below!

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