Colin Hinz asked about finding a good source of new key covering. I would
also like to locate a reliable and good source for quality key covering.

Recently one of my tuning customers moved into the area and brought a
beautiful Mason and Hamlin completely rebuilt by a New York City
"specialist."   Everything was done quite well, except the keys!  They
had those thick key caps applied.  This involves sawing off part of the
key itself, and gluing down these thick things, which not only make the
piano look cheap, but have very sharp edges under the new tops, and they
look very unprofessional.

I used to have O. E. Schuler do all of my key covering and they did a
splendid job.  Unfortunately they no longer are in business, and I can
not find a suitable source for doing acceptable key covering.  Yes, I
know there are many out there, but most use those d*&^% thick key caps.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions for a source of good key
covering?

Colin also asked about a source for a test pump for his player work.  I
have always used an _old_ vacuum cleaner!  I say old, because the real
old ones do not have a lot of vacuum, and testing valves with a _lot_ of
vacuum is not good, because it pulls them down so hard that it will not
show up leaks on lighter vacuum.

By taking a vacuum reading of the old vacuum cleaner, you have a known
reading.  When you apply it to a chest, you take another reading and if
there is a difference, you know how much is leaking.  Many valves will
perform very well with a high vacuum, but put them on a very low vacuum
and they may leak like crazy!  Test them both ways!

Bruce Clark
bac4@juno.com