Thoughts on Ivories ?

[m1469]

Is there any benefit for getting/not getting real ivories over whatever else it is that keys are made of these days ( ) ? 


Thanks,
m1469

[ahinton]

Is there any benefit for getting/not getting real ivories over whatever else it is that keys are made of these days ( ) ? 


Thanks,
m1469

This is probably regarded as more of a political issue than a practical one these days. Ivories every time for me, however - irrespective of how un-PC that admission makes me seem...

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

how about synthetic ivory?

[ahinton]

how about synthetic ivory?

This is much used nowadays (and indeed has been for quite some time, but its use is probably increasing); it's known as "ivorine" in some places. It can be pretty good but I find it to be a rather less than ideal substitute for the real thing.

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

This is probably regarded as more of a political issue than a practical one these days. Ivories every time for me, however - irrespective of how un-PC that admission makes me seem...

Best,

Alistair

Oh, cool.   Thanks for answering.  I am just wondering because I have seen adds for used pianos with real Ivories, and as I am always looking for my dream piano, I started wondering if there were downfalls with up-keep for real Ivories vs synthetic (obviously real ivories would be difficult/impossible (?) to replace.  But, I also wonder if the wear and tear factor is different).  Plus, I was curious if there are any playing benefits with real Ivories over synthetics.

But yes, the PC thing I understand.  I kind of think though, if I bought a piano with real ones, it's an instrument that's already out there... it's not like more of them are being produced, and this instrument has to go somewhere.  I mean, it would still exist whether I owned it or not.  But maybe I would still feel guilty if I owned it.

Thanks for your thoughts,
m1469

[honkytonk]

The presence of ivory keys on a relatively inexpensive piano usually means just one thing-
The piano is old. 

Browsing the classifieds you'll see many people advertising "real ivory" or "wood soundboard" on their "upright grand".

These well-meaning people don't know much about pianos and are trying to find attractive terms to describe them. They think that the presence of  ivory keys could be a valuable feature, so they point it out.  The reality is that ALL old pianos have ivory keys, although it's often in poor condition.

Unless a piano has undergone significant restoration,  Ivory keys should be a clue that the piano is probably too old to ever be a performance instrument.

Although some people  prefer Ivory, others  prefer plastic, even if it's not the "ivorine" that some companies use. It's largely a matter of what you're used to-

[Floristan]

Ivory has a tactile quality unlike any other key covering.  I can actually feel the grain in my ivory keytops.  It's a subtle thing, but noticeable.  It makes the keys less slippery than plastic.  Also, ivory absorbs sweat to some degree, so if your hand sweat when you play, this quality will also reduce slipping.  Ivory is as easy to maintain as plastic -- just wipe with a soft, damp cloth.  To keep them from yellowing, keep the fallboard open so the keys are exposed to light all the time.  It's the absence of light that causes them to yellow.

Often ads for old pianos mention the ivory keys, like that's a major selling point for an old clunker that's otherwise in poor condition.  If you find a beautifully rebuilt grand with ivory keys, great!  That's what I have, and I really like having ivory.

In the U.S. it's illegal to import or export ivory, but ivory that is already here is OK.  There are even a couple of keytop manufacturers who are producing new ivory keytops from tusks that were in the U.S. before the embargo went into effect.  It's kind of shocking to think there are tusks just sitting around -- that that much elephant slaughter had to occur before something was done!

[iumonito]

In the U.S. it's illegal to import or export ivory, but ivory that is already here is OK.

I am not sure this is accurate.  New ivory is certainly illegal, but I think old ivory may be OK to import.  Otherwise, it would be impossible to export an old or rebuilt piano from Europe to USA, and that is certainly not the case.

Some people have an adverse reaction, kind of like an allergy although probably not really, to ivory.

You can buy legal ivory and have it installed on a new or rebuilt piano, should you fancy that.

[gfiore]

 You can import a piano with an ivory keyboard into the USA.  It must have accompanying documentation that the ivory is 100 years old or older.
 Keyboards can be recovered in ivory(not brand new ivory like the elephant was killed last week), but from old documented stock. It is very expensive to do, usually in the $3,500-4,500 range.

[serge1paris]

I have a 1981 SS Hambourg Model B with real ivories. When ivories are polished there is not so much difference with new key tops. But with some years of use after polishing the grain of ivory comes out. If you like it you play with it. If you don't, you have them polished again.

My piano has been completely refurbished last year so I am still with soft ivory key tops but I feel that when the grain will appear I will stay with it !! (it is just like an "antique" feeling and I like the tactile quality of old ivories)