Pianotech

  • 1.  Yamaha with discolored keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-27-2023 20:21
    A customer has a Yamaha C3 grand with the textured keys that are discolored and grimy in the heavily played area.  The student is complaining about the texture (though there are several other complex issues involved).
    I can get a new set of keys from Yamaha or replace the existing key tops but this could get complex and expensive.
    Who has experience with these textured keys? 
    Will a bleach/cleanser solution adequately remove the discoloration?
    Is there a treatment such as wax, shellac or laquer that would fill the pores and improve the touch?

    ------------------------------
    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 795-5170
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Yamaha with discolored keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-27-2023 20:42
    Blaine

    How old is the piano? I had a similar situation, but this was 20 years ago, and Yamaha covered the expense of shipping and having a new set of tops put on. I would ask Dave Durbin, (ddurbin@yamaha.com) if this piano is covered. 



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Yamaha with discolored keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-27-2023 21:17
    Blaine,

    I have seen this quite often.  I have not / don't know a successful process to return those Yamaha keytops to anything like new.   It is more economical to send them to a Keytop recovering service or you could recover them yourself.  There are a number of articles in past issues of the Journal outlining the process. 

    There are also a number of professional key services that advertise in the journal.  All do quality work at competitive prices.    

    God bless 

    Ken



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Yamaha with discolored keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-28-2023 09:29
    These would be Ivorite keytops, Blaine. Yamaha used to replace sets of key sticks under warranty but that was a long time ago. If anyone has found a way to clean them, I would like to know it, too.

    Bob Anderson, RPT
    Tucson, AZ


    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Yamaha with discolored keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-28-2023 10:15
    Hi Blaine,
    Was that C3 from the 1980s or 1990s ? If it has "Ivorite" keytops, the issue is humorously called "Ivoritus". I was the Yamaha tech for the local dealer during that period, and Yamaha used to provide new keys and cover the labor for replacement. They don't do that anymore. I installed many of these replacement keysets, a few times twice on the same piano.

    You can sand and polish the keytops but that's a lot of work work well, and it won't last. The problem will just come back.  The problem is worse on piano teachers pianos or any Ivorite piano what has more than one player.

    Yamaha will provide a newer version of "Ivorite" keytops. The problem is the expert labor to remove and install properly. You could go with acrylic molded keytops, but for a "C" series Yamaha with discerning pianists, I'd recommend something better, Tharan or Ivocor which we install in our shop. Tharan is what's installed on Fazioli and other high end European pianos. These high end mineral plastics such as Ivocor or Tharan have a feel that closely duplicates the ivory feel that pianists like.

    Hope that helps,

    -Dean

    ------------------------------
    Dean Reyburn, RPT
    Reyburn Pianoworks
    Reyburn CyberTuner
    1-616-498-9854
    dean@reyburn.com
    www.reyburnpianoworks.com
    www.cybertuner.com
    www.reyburntools.com
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/dean.reyburn
    ------------------------------

    Original Message