Keypin Replacement

One essential element for the effective operation of the keys in a piano is that the keypins must be smooth to the point of being slippery. Each note has two of these keypins, the front rail pin and the balance rail pin, that keep the key aligned in its proper position. When a note...

Bass String Removal, Duplication, and Replacement

One characteristic which all great sounding pianos have in common is that they possess a rich, vibrant bass. A strong, resonant bass brings the music played on a piano to life. Unfortunately, as an instrument ages the bass strings which give the piano its musical heartbeat tend to deteriorate. Gradually, over the decades, the...

Rebushing Keys

For piano keys to have that “new piano” feel a quality set of key bushings is essential. Felt bushings are to piano keys as piston rings are to the pistons of an automobile engine. Without piston rings, pistons would clatter loosely and ineffectually inside their cylinders. Likewise, without key bushings, the wooden keysticks would...

Refelting The Keybed

The quiet operation of the keys of your piano depends upon three sets of felts (front rail punchings, balance rail punchings and back rail cloth) that function as cushions. Besides their ability to absorb unwanted sounds, these felts are also important in determining both the height of the keys and the depth of the...

Replacement of Worn Asian-Design Hammer Butts and Flanges

The Achilles heel of Yamaha, Kawai and other Asian­made pianos is a ham­mer butt assembly that relies upon a small braided cord to hold an essential spring in check. After years of use this cord is prone to breaking (as shown in photo on cover), which causes the piano action to perform unsatisfactorily.

Keytop Replacement

A piano with a beautiful and durable set of keytops is more likely to be appreciated than one with a beatup set of keys. The luxurious feel of topquality keytops invites one to sit down and play the piano. On the other hand, when old keytops have become discolored, chipped or broken off altogether,...

Vertical Piano Regulation

The proper touch on your piano depends on it being regulated. To many pianists, a piano’s touch is as important as its tone. Touch refers to the efficiency and responsiveness of the mechanical action of the piano, and is what is responsible for giving a piano its full range of power from the silkiest...

Plastic Elbow Repair

Many spinet pianos manufactured during the 1950’s and ’60’s were outfitted with plastic parts which after decades of use are beginning to weaken and break. One of the most common of plastic parts to fail is what’s known as an elbow an integral part of a number of models of spinets.

Ivory Keyset Restoration

A beautiful set of genuine ivory keytops on a vintage piano is becoming more and more of a rarity. Many ivory keysets on older instruments have suffered from wear and tear over the years, and are not particularly attractive. Bringing an original set of ivory back to “factoryfresh” condition is at times possible when...

Hammer Head Filing

The hammers on your piano have reached the point where routine maintenance in the form of filing off the outer wear layer would be of benefit. The result would be heard in a crisper, cleaner tone more like what the piano sounded like when it was in the showroom as a new instrument.