Services We Offer
We offer different key top materials, shades, and finishes. Our pricing is competitive but we always prioritize the highest quality of materials and craftsmanship.
Reyburn Ivocor Key Tops
A proprietary mineral plastic developed and made in the USA. It is cool to the touch and has a satin gloss finish often preferred over Kluge Tharan.
Kluge Tharan Key Tops
We can replace existing key tops with Tharan up to a satin finish. They will have a soft white appearance and have a satin feel.
Kluge Ivoplast Key Tops
Installing Ivoplast key tops is similar to recovering Tharan key tops. However, we can finish them up to a high gloss. They have a more brilliant white appearance and a polished feel.
Elforyn Super Tusk
Elforyn is a mineral plastic, synthetic ivory from Germany that has the exact look and feel of REAL ivory, unlike Vagias key tops.
Elforyn is a strong, durable material that is resistant to all common cleaning agents, oils, fats, and medium to weak acids/alkalis. It is very moisture resistant and can be finished from matte to satin gloss. Elforyn has what are called Schregger-lines and run across the annual rings which are indicative of real ivory. However, this material looks so much like real ivory if can only be definitively distinguished with a UV light. It can be imported/exported without fear of seizure.
Research and Development
We are always looking for new or interesting materials that have a balance of workability, durability, cost effectiveness, and contribute to a positive playing experience. We cannot possibly keep updated on all the new synthetic materials being produced but will gladly investigate any recommendations.
Key Bushing Service
We are now offering key bushing service with our key top recovery. Our prices our competative and we use premium 1.3mm bushing cloth fron Jahn Pianotiele. Please provide both front rail pin and center rail pin sizes to ensure a minimal key easing. $50 discount if the keys arrive unbushed.
Sharp Recovery
For economy level sharps we have satin finish plastic sharps. The plastic sharps can be trimmed but are limited by their hollow core design. Please check the space between the sharps and fall-board.
Our Premium sharps are made of Gabon Ebony and can be trimmed to ensure an exact replica of the originals. Premium sharps include sanding the sides to match and re-blacking of the key stick.
Replacement sharps may be narrower than the original sharps and requires the key stick be sanded to match the new width. Up to 0.025” per side. Economy plastic sharps do not include sanding or re-blacking of the key stick.
Key Replacement
As professional key makers we can absolutely fabricate a new key (or keys) given the surrounding keys and balance/front rail pin sizes. We use computer aided design to digitally recreate the key and manufacture it on a CNC router. However, if the damage is at the apocalyptic level, an entirely new keyset may be cheaper.
Key Frame Felting
In addition to bushing your keys, we can also felt your piano’s keys, with new front/center rail punchings, and new back rail cloth/felt. We will rough level you keys to your preferred height but wont be able to provide a precision leveling job.
Key Repair
Being key makers, in addition to recovering key tops we can repair keys as well. We cannot repair a key that has been dissolved by Coca Cola or seen the business end of a shotgun (Yes, we’ve seen both!). A rule of thumb is if 90% of the key is intact we can repair it, any more and it’s smarter to replace the key. Sometimes a new keyset is required or to call time of death on the piano. See Reyburn Pianoworks.
We can repair sharp gouging, pulley-keys, loose front rail mortises, even broken keys (assuming all or most of the pieces are there.)!
We also will do precision headscale correction when the gaps between naturals has increased due to under-skilled key servicing or environmental factors.
Pricing on repairs vary wildly so please call for an estimate.
Brass Capstan Buffing
We can easily buff brass capstans to reduce friction on the whippen heel.
Sharp Blacking
Sharps may need touching up after they are recovered or blacking has worn away. Although this is usually not the case we can apply black lacquer below the sharps to give them a clean uniform look.
FREE* Key top sample kit
A sample kit of Reyburn Ivocor, Elforyn super tusk, Kluge Tharan, Kluge Ivoplast, and molded acrylic key tops (for comparison) comes in a protective display sleeve. The kit is $25.00 +s/h up front but will be credited to your first key top recovery order. Offer only available to PTG members, piano technicians, or piano rebuilders. Please click here for more info.
Prep and Shipping:
Please mark all keys 1-85/88 one inch (2.5cm) behind the key tops from bass to treble prior to removal from key-frame if you have not already done so.
Please do not remove old keytops! Adhesives vary widely and may result in damaged keys if improperly removed.
Pack them in a sturdy, appropriately sized cardboard box with sufficient packing material to ensure keys arrive safely. We recommend FedEx or UPS and insure the package for a minimum of $4,000 USD. Trust us on this. We know how much it costs to replace a key set, even more if we don’t have any of the keys! If the box you send the keys to us arrives in unserviceable condition we will replace it with a custom key box for return shipping. Please inform us of the pianos realistic value so we can apply the appropriate insurance to return shipping. If it’s a concert grand we will insure it for up to $8,000 USD, under $1000 for a low value piano since we know about how how much it’ll cost to replace a keyset.
Orders over $500 require a 50% deposit upon receipt of invoice, and remainder upon completion prior to shipping. Orders less than $500 are full payment upon receipt of invoice. We charge a flat rate return shipping and handling fee up front for the contiguous United States.
Request an Estimate
We are happy to respond within 1 business day.
Email: reyburnkeyrecovery@gmail.com