Cracked-up key coverings...

[Gill the Piano]

Got a customer with a grey import Yamaha, UXI 414**** and the white key coverings are developing hairline cracks which worsen, and the edges are chipping for no apparent reason. First one I've come across like it, and I wondered if it was a common problem, or has she just been unlucky? And does anyone know how much key recovering costs these days? Sorry to pick your poor hungover brains, but I'm seeing her in a few days' time...!

[PianoGuy]

Very common Gill, and a pain of a repair job in that it's difficult to get the coverings off.

I'd entrust it to F&N's key covering feller. Yamaha Genuine Replacement keytops are available which are advisable since they are the correct thickness. The generic replacements are thicker and unless you do a clever levelling job, the sharps can disappear below the naturals which is horrible.

It's unlikely to be cheap for your customer though........

[Gill the Piano]

I wasn't contemplating tackling it myself, but I have no idea how much key recovering costs (done professionally). I said 300 quid as a (very!) rough figure, because the last one I heard of first hand was 200 quid, ten years ago. The piano itself is really nice in tone and touch, so is well worth spending money on.

[Barrie Heaton]

don't forget to cost in re levelling the Keys I will email you the FN price list the tops they use are not the same a Yamaha a bit thicker so the sharps will need re levelling as well and depth of touch

I use to use cut the tops off on on my bench saw if they would not steam off. The nice thing about Yamaha key tops is they are just tops

Barrie,

[sussexpianos]

Gill, try David Fry piano services www.davidfrypianos.co.uk as he used to F&N trained and recovers keys. He uses the Steinway stuff and can use others to hand. Id charge around £300 to send off, have the work done, and put it back in the job. Charge about 2-3 hours to regulate the height + touch as the heights will change and then so will the depths.

[PianoGuy]

as the heights will change and then so will the depths.

Not if you use Yamaha replacement parts.

[sussexpianos]

Im sure they will still need adjustment for wear. besides, its difficult to remove modern tops due to the hot glue they use which is very difficult to remove, so after the keytops have been removed, the old glue needs sanding off so the heights in theory will need adjusting.
I find using a band saw is useful but you need to watch out for flying plastic.

[Barrie Heaton]

I find using a band saw is useful but you need to watch out for flying plastic.

Circular saw with a fine tooth blade is much better and quicker than a band saw once you set the fence you don't have to be too bothered about the blade tracking like you do on a band saw.

I have used an electric planer once that is very good but it buggers up the blade and you have to watch the fingers big time and a lot of flying plastic. You have more room with grand keys on a planer and you can skim off 0.05 but you still end up levelling keys even with Yamaha parts but not a much as generic tops

Barrie,