Replacing Keysticks During Rebuilding

I had an interesting visit yesterday to a piano store that sells a high end brand. They had a couple of nice 85 note pianos that they had restored. Out of curiosity I asked them if they ever replaced the key sticks during a restoration. Their response was the they never did and that no one does that. I wondered who Kluge was selling their products to. In any event, my question for the pros on the group who do restorations: in about what percentage of pianos do you replace key sticks and under what circumstances is it warranted and do you see a good benefit as a result? Thanks in advance. Randall Smith Ashburn, VA, USA

Rarely do you replace the keysticks. If the keysticks are still good and straight, all you need to do is rebush them and recover the tops. But the statement that you 'never' replace them as made by the person you talked to is not accurate either, since it is done when warranted. The cost is such that it's only going to be considered on a high quality piano that's worth the effort, where the existing keys are damaged, warped, or something like that where they are no longer useable.

Larry Fletcher Pianos Inc Atlanta GA Dealer/technician

Doing the work of three men.....Larry, Curly, & Moe Want to visit another piano related messageboard? Go to the piano discussion group on my website:
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e.g. On a Bechstein pre 1920 upright/grand pined at whippen end, bushing that pops into a pin on the key