> I don't know of any great musician who objects to having a profession-
> ally fitted plastic key set ... There is less chance of an accident
> during a performance. (That's when ivory flies off, on occasion) ...

Groucho Marx told us that this happens more down towards Alabama,
where the Tuscaloosa.  ;)

> Most discoloration to ivory (if it's not a different shade) is layered
> <snip> the stains might turn out to be through the entire thickness ...

Teeth discolor at different layers but can be corrected with modern
dental chemicals and/or ultraviolet light.  I wonder if any bleaching
techniques can be used on ivory keys, and if ivory has a similar compos-
ition as do teeth.

Karl Ellison - Ashland, Massachusetts U.S.A.¶
KBEllison@aol.com - http://members.aol.com/kbellison/kbe.html

 [ ... and see your dentist twice each year!  :)   -- Robbie