Rebushing of keys

[solhaywood]

Hello everybody,

I would like to know if rebushing my piano's keys is a job that can be done at my home. Also (and probably this is an inapropriate question), how much does it cost, aproximately (asuming all keys need refelting)?

Thank you very much.

[Colin Nicholson]

Hi there,

Is this an upright or grand piano?

Key re-bushing would need to be done in a piano technician's workshop (using a bench vice) - the keys (85 or 88) are removed from the piano and taken away (obviously leaving the piano & mechanism etc in situ in your home). It would probably be best to have the whole lot done. On each key, there are 2 sets of bushings - so you would need an inspection on-site to see if a partial rebush was only needed. Prices vary depending on what you require. The keys are then eased back into the keyframe with special key bushing pliers - if its a grand piano, the whole keyframe & keys are taken away, but if its an upright piano, some key frames take longer to remove, and may involve more stripping down. If you want some prices, please email me - depending where you live?.

Key bushing takes about 2 days to do, and even after easing the keys, they have to be re-eased a few days later. All they keys are then spaced evenly, aligned, levelled off & cleaned.... full service!

Colin

[solhaywood]

Dear Colin,

Thanks so much for your reply. My tuner is going to have a look next time he comes around, to see if this is what makes my piano's keys so wobbly (they clash against the keyboard frame, which is very irritating). My piano is an old upright. It tunes well, but it is probably a bit 'tired'. I am actually dreading what else the tuner is going to find!

I live in the London Suburbs.

Thank you again; yours,

Sol

[Colin Nicholson]

Hi Sol,

Yes, it sounds like the bushings are worn out. In some extreme cases, if the keyframe pins are rusty or corroded, or if the keys have worn past the felt stages - then the top wooden chasings may also be damaged. Obviously prices may differ in London to Yorkshire. Also apart from side to side wobbling/ rattling noises, the keys will look uneven, and even some may have collapsed. I would contact your tuner sooner rather than later!

[Gill the Piano]

Sometimes the rattle can be alleviated by turning the pins under the keys - they's sort of oval - but rebushing is the best route.

[solhaywood]

Thanks ever so much for the above replies: my tuner is already 'on the case'. I have inherited this piano and, as far as I am told, it has never had an overhaul, or anything changed, for that matter. And it is about 90 years old. I hope that having the keys rebushed is the first step to getting the instrument back to its former self.

With gratitude,

Sol

[vernon]

I'm about 90 years old and need a few bits re-bushed.
Incidentally,Colin, you don't need to remove an upright keyframe to rebush the keys. This operation invites dislodging all the underframe cards with a serious key levelling job ensuing.
Please ensure that you number all the keys before removal unless the numbers are crystal clear,if that is the right adjective..
Otherwise, you can spend many a happy hour trying to put the keys in order.
Hands up anyone who has never mixed up keys!

[Colin Nicholson]

Yep (my hand is up).... done that! dropped loads of keys once, and its a nightmare jigsaw puzzle!

If I can get the frame out - its handy for ''pre- easing'' on my work bench before installing back in the piano.... however, sometimes if their coffee is nice, I'll do them on-site!

[joseph]

I think the keyboard on my 5 year old piano needs rebushed, never mind a 90 year old piano!

[Colin Nicholson]

Incidentally,Colin, you don't need to remove an upright keyframe to rebush the keys.

Just noticed this Vernon! Eh?.... give me some credit!
Is that how it sounded? .... blimey, I'll have to be specifiKK!.
Well obviously I meant taking the keyframe away aswell - (this is for the punters benefit I'm saying this!)
Rebush a 'test' key using either the F&N blue/yellow or red front bushing wedges (and my own home made wooden wedges for the centres) - then after drying/trimming, check key in the keyframe, then choose the wedge that requires minimum easing later.... I think the red wedges are the largest.

Sometimes if the keyframe is awkward to remove, I set up a small jig with one of my single key action models - removing the centre pin & front pin block - clamp in a vice - and away you go!

[joe]

I think the keyboard on my 5 year old piano needs rebushed, never mind a 90 year old piano!

Your instrument most likely had 90 years of playing in 5 years ?

[vernon]

I used to have granpa's set of omega shaped steel bushing springs that were a universal fit. They mysteriously disappeared in some move or other.
Never seen anything like them since

[solhaywood]

Dear all,

I'm truly enjoying to learn about the technicalities of keys' removing and rebushing. This is a fascinating world for me: I am just amazed about how intelligent and skillful une must be to performe those jobs.
Also, it is unbelievable how sensitive pianos are: just like human beings, they suffer from humidity or lack of it; they breath and complain about temperature changes. Superb machines with character and presence. Like other members in these forums, I am determined to preserve my family antique. I don't think I ever felt so uneasy as when my father in-law-said (yesterday) that he did away with their family piano with an axe and a hammer... the very thought makes me sick. Sorry for this pedantic speech from a nostalgic of the great times of family sing-alongs!

[joseph]

I think the keyboard on my 5 year old piano needs rebushed, never mind a 90 year old piano!

Your instrument most likely had 90 years of playing in 5 years ?

yup.

I'm gonna switch to the pennywhistle

[vernon]

Just noticed that granpa's bushing springs are still in Heckschers catalogue

[joe]

I think the keyboard on my 5 year old piano needs rebushed, never mind a 90 year old piano!

Your instrument most likely had 90 years of playing in 5 years ?

yup.

I'm gonna switch to the pennywhistle

You would blow your brains out No need to buy tools to rebush,you can easily make your own wooden pegs in a v-shape that do a grand job,trick is not to put too much glue on bushing cloth and be sure that the grain on the cloth is running the right way, keys are eased properly and baps pins are are well cleaned of any rust or residue,a little grease spread over the bap pins helps to.

[vernon]

now you're digging yourself a hole!
Now you've got to explain the unique qualities of bushing felt, the different thicknesses and the way the selvedge runs,

After that.......

[joseph]

I think, when I have the keyboard on my piano (sorry, IF I have the keyboard on my piano - I know, terrible admission, but I'm a bit broke just now having just moved) re-bushed, I won't be doing it myself..... I mean, I'd probably manage, if I did a five year apprenticeship somewhere and learned the art of piano servicing.

I know lots of pianists who know more or less what needs done to their piano, and a few who have a fair idea of how to do it. None of them would ever dare attempt it though!

[vernon]

A lot of people have a go at the diy. ,armed with string or elastic for tapes,elastoplast to fix broken shanks.
All sorts of old underwear can be adapted to the various bits of felts needed that's just some of the professionals!
It makes work for us tho.

[joseph]

well, I have a tuner from Suffolk at my piano just now, first tuning since it was moved south. Poor thing is screaming (the piano, not the tuner). and yeah, the keys want re bushing. time to get my old socks out Vernon....