Do you love your piano? Has it been in your family for generations?
Is it looking a little shabby? Are the keys yellowing, cracked, or missing? Do they sometimes press down and never pop back?
It may be time for a little restoration.
Key Tops
The first place to start is with the key tops. By replacing the tops, it can add life and charm to your older piano. Keep in mind that if your piano is antique and still has ivory keys, replacement with ivory might not be an option. It is illegal to buy and sell ivory. However, in some cases, a technician might be able to find ivory top keys for a historical restoration.
Key Bed
While the tops of the keys may be cracked or chipped, the problem might be deeper if your piano doesn’t play correctly. The key bed consists of several different components. During restoration, many things may be repaired or replaced.
Rail pins – these pins balance each key into place when the hammer is activated
Key bushings – these felt pieces are used within the pin holes to keep fluidity in the action
Capstans – these are the screws that hold the keys into the action
Key buttons – these are pieces of wood glued to the key tops for balancing
For proper key restoration, it requires both quality workmanship to ensure the piano sounds as good as it looks.
A good restorer will ensure that your piano looks as close to original as possible. They will select proper key materials to ensure a professional look. They will also ensure proper function throughout. That means:
- The notches of both black and white keys are properly made for a tight fit
- The key edges are properly cleaned and finished to avoid dirt and buildup from occurring over time
- The key edges are flush on all sides to avoid dysfunction when the keys are pressed
Are your piano keys in need of a little restoration?
