LATEST UPDATE OF THIS PAGE: 5/6/06

Our Services

 

Keytop Replacement For our current price of a typical keytop replacement project click OUR RATES

 

Most older pianos have ivory keytops.  After many years of playing, these keytops may become discolored, worn, chip on the front edge, or become dislodged.  It is much less expensive to install an individual used ivory keytop than to replace an entire set, but it is difficult to find a used ivory with a matching color.  If only a few ivory keytops need to be installed on your piano, let us evaluate the situation and advise you.     For a reasonable cost, we can install a set of beautiful plastic white key tops.  Key top replacement service includes removing the set of keys from your piano and taking them to our shop, removing the keytops and installing a new set of plastic keytops shaped perfectly to the top edges of the keys, and returning to your piano to complete the project by installing the keys, making necessary regulation adjustments to compensate for the difference in thickness between the original keytops and replacement set, and re-assembling your piano.  The cost of keytop replacement service including minimum regulation adjustments can be as low as $250.  If keytop replacement is included in a reconditioning and regulation project, the cost of replacing the keytops is $150.  Phone or e-mail us for an appointment to evaluate your piano.

 

Keytop Replacement: Two illustrations

"Before (1)" -- Several keytops were missing on this 1934 Baldwin Grand action, and a few are "chipped."  Fortunately, the owner had saved the keytops that came off, so we could re-install them, and we were able to replace the chipped keytops with ivory keytops of matching color.	"After (1)" -- We reglued the loose keytops, replaced the missing keytops, and machine-buffed the keys, resulting in a consistent sheen in the entire set.
"Before (2)" -- This Behning Upright piano was a superb instrument when new in 1903, but a number of keytops disappeared over the years, and aging had resulted in a yellow surface color that was impossible to match with used keytops from our stock.  The ebony keys were discolored and several were damaged.	"After (2)" -- We removed all ivory keytops, installed plastic white keytops, and with the use of special jigs on our router we shaped them to fit perfectly.  We also installed new plastic black keys.  Together with the new lacquer finish that we applied, the changes resulted in a century-old piano that looks brand new!