Pianotech

  • 1.  Sharp sharps

    Posted 12-27-2020 09:56

    Still enhancing my 40-year-old Kawai KG-6C.  I've noticed that I scrape up the tops of my fingers when I'm playing fast, and always assumed it was sloppy technique (which may be part of it).  Yesterday I noticed that the sharp keytops overhang the keysticks at the front corners by maybe 1/16" (where my fingernail is in the photo), and the overhang is sharp.

    So, next step, remove sharp keys and file/sand those front corners smooth.  I'm pretty sure the keytops are ebony.  Also I can blacken the sides of the keysticks to improve appearance.

    So, question:  Is this a crazy thing to do?  It seems straightforward to me.  Comments, please.

    And Happy New Year to all!

    Eric

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    Eric Schell
    ericschellpiano@gmail.com
    Austin TX
    512-363-6236
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  • 2.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Member
    Posted 12-27-2020 11:17
    Seems like if it was Ebony, it would be as worn out as your finger nail. A hard plastic sharp could have an edge like that as it is from a mould.
    Put some masking tape on the whites around Bb7 and push them down so you can try a little sand paper on an edge. It shouldn't take much,

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    Keith Roberts
    owner
    Hathaway Pines CA
    209-770-4312
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Member
    Posted 12-27-2020 12:00
    Hi,

    Hard to tell from the photo, but it seems like the wood has worn away from the front corners of the keystick (under the front corners of the sharps). If so, rather than just blackening the wood, it's surface should be built back up to match the lower front of the sharp, then blackened.

    Deb



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  • 4.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Posted 12-27-2020 13:22
      |   view attached
    If you played with your fingers in more of a curved position, you might see less gouging. Not like this guy:

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 5.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-27-2020 15:07

    In the Oberlin practice rooms (a huge batch of very old Steinway M's), that area was scraped down over half an inch.




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  • 6.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-27-2020 16:31
    One thing you don't want to consider is removing the sharps and re-installing them, moving them back along the key sticks. This comment is not for you since you did not suggest it, but for anyone researching this situation. If the sharps are moved back (lots of work and many traps to avoid) chances are good that the back ends may click against the fallboard - this is one of those traps. If the overhang at the front is so small, I would think the easiest solution would be to remove all the sharps and sand off the front of the sharps if they are indeed ebony wood. A power sander and some sort of stop to ensure only that 1/16" was removed would make the job fast. The front of the sharps would have to be buffed with very fine sandpaper or emory cloth by hand, rubbed out with steel wool then blackened if desired along with the key stick front and sides. I don't think taking off such a small amount of the sharp front would make any difference to the player. But then, I have been fooled by the extreme sensitivity of some artists. Since you are the resident artist, you could decide for yourself.  Just something to consider
    Joel

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    Joel Rappaport
    Rappaport's Piano Workshop
    Round Rock TX
    512-255-0440
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Posted 12-27-2020 19:23
    Compare the accidentals in the top octave to see how much of the undercutting has been caused by your way of playing.
    It looks like you spend a lot of time sliding around the edges of the accidentals.
    Rounding off those corners should not cause any problems, and may solve yours.
    Or just play in B, F sharp and D flat Major.

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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-28-2020 08:26
    Yes, let's see a photo of the top and bottom octaves for comparison. Up close and clear. 

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Sharp sharps

    Posted 12-29-2020 11:31
    Thanks, all, for your support and expertise.

    I checked all the sharps,  the problem is mostly in the mid-section through the basses.  But maybe 50% have the problem.  So in the mid-section there may be some wear of the keystick, but that doesn't seem to be the likely problem in the 1st octave.  So I guess it's some combination of minor manufacturing defect and wear from playing.

    So for now I'm just sanding with a fingernail sandboard with the keys in.  That seems to work just fine.  And the keytop is black through and through.  Whether that means ebony or plastic, I don't know.  If I get inspired to remove the keys, I will do more polishing and blacken the sides of the sharp keysticks.

    Joel--no way I'm going to remove keytops.  The keys are in really good shape overall. 

    Deb -- Building up the keysticks is a good idea, but I'm not going to do that now.  Maybe use gel CA glue and then file flush?

    Thanks again to all.

    Eric

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    Eric Schell
    ericschellpiano@gmail.com
    Austin TX
    512-363-6236
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    Original Message