Richard W. Bushey - Piano Tuner/Technician
1694 N. State Hwy 125, Strafford, Mo. 65757
(417) 294-3377 - mobile or (417) 831-0749
(417) 294-3377 - mobile or (417) 831-0749
Associate Member of the
Piano Technician's Guild
Piano Technician's Guild
"make a joyful noise..."
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(Non-Smoker!)
Locally Licensed
and Insured
and Insured
Mulitiple piano discount (same location only)
Action Reconditioning
Piano Regulation
Piano Repairs
Piano Tuning
Quality, Friendly Service
What I Offer
Piano Key Bushing (Sizing / Replacement)
Key bushings play a very important role in the function and
feel of the key. However, their true condition is often
overlooked. If all the keys are "working" then they are often
"passed" as OK when in reality there is much improvement
that can be made by correcting the fit of the bushings by
easing, re-sizing, or replacement.
Each key in the piano is carefully fitted to 2 steel pins by
way of 2 felt-lined mortises (one under the front of the key,
and one at the top center of the key) which serve to hold
the key in proper alignment and spacing to its neighbors as
well as guiding its up and down travel...all while allowing the
key to move freely. This felt-lined mortise must allow for free
up and down motion of the key, but limit all but a hint of side
to side movement of the key.
Age, wear, and changes in humidity all affect a bushing's fit at each side of the pin and can greatly affect its ability to do its job correctly. Too loose and the key can flop around, click againsts its neighbors, feel sloppy overall, and add much unwanted noise while playing. Too tight and the keys may act sluggish, be harder to press down, and it can prevent other action parts from returning to rest to prepare for the next blow. When this happens a note likely will not repeat correctly, especially on faster passages of music.
Over time, key bushings devolop indentions where they rub against the pin while playing (see pictures below). If the bushings are otherwise in decent shape, securely glued in place, not moth eaten, etc...then sizing may very well be the ticket to rejuvinate the felt and put it back to proper specs. To size the bushings, we use a ProFelt solution to loosen the compressed felt fibers, then immediatly insert the correct sized caul (spacer) in between the bushings so that it will dry exactly to the correct size for the pin size in your piano. The result are bushings that are now straight on each side (as shown in the picture below), and will now have the correct clearance between the bushing and the pin.
For example, the guide pins on many pianos are .146 in dia. When sizing a bushing for that size pin, we use a caul that is .147, which is ever so slightly wider than the diameter of the pin. This assures a good fit.
Key bushings that are quite damaged, missing, moth eaten, and dirty are better candidates for replacement. Old bushings are steamed out of the wood key mortise, the mortises are sized with a sizing caul until dried. New felt bushing material is then carefully installed to the proper depth, a sizing caul inserted until glue dries, then trimmed to make a like-new installation.
Note that any damaged or cracked key button mortises must first be repaired before sizing or replacement can be completed.
Let Richard's Piano Service size or replace your worn key bushings and feel the difference!
$300 - Replace key bushings (both center and front rails)
$150 - Replace key bushings (one rail only)
$100 - Key bushing resizing (ProFelt solution and cauls - both rails)
Prices are just the price of the jobs once keys are in the shop. Add $85 service call and any applicible mileage.
feel of the key. However, their true condition is often
overlooked. If all the keys are "working" then they are often
"passed" as OK when in reality there is much improvement
that can be made by correcting the fit of the bushings by
easing, re-sizing, or replacement.
Each key in the piano is carefully fitted to 2 steel pins by
way of 2 felt-lined mortises (one under the front of the key,
and one at the top center of the key) which serve to hold
the key in proper alignment and spacing to its neighbors as
well as guiding its up and down travel...all while allowing the
key to move freely. This felt-lined mortise must allow for free
up and down motion of the key, but limit all but a hint of side
to side movement of the key.
Age, wear, and changes in humidity all affect a bushing's fit at each side of the pin and can greatly affect its ability to do its job correctly. Too loose and the key can flop around, click againsts its neighbors, feel sloppy overall, and add much unwanted noise while playing. Too tight and the keys may act sluggish, be harder to press down, and it can prevent other action parts from returning to rest to prepare for the next blow. When this happens a note likely will not repeat correctly, especially on faster passages of music.
Over time, key bushings devolop indentions where they rub against the pin while playing (see pictures below). If the bushings are otherwise in decent shape, securely glued in place, not moth eaten, etc...then sizing may very well be the ticket to rejuvinate the felt and put it back to proper specs. To size the bushings, we use a ProFelt solution to loosen the compressed felt fibers, then immediatly insert the correct sized caul (spacer) in between the bushings so that it will dry exactly to the correct size for the pin size in your piano. The result are bushings that are now straight on each side (as shown in the picture below), and will now have the correct clearance between the bushing and the pin.
For example, the guide pins on many pianos are .146 in dia. When sizing a bushing for that size pin, we use a caul that is .147, which is ever so slightly wider than the diameter of the pin. This assures a good fit.
Key bushings that are quite damaged, missing, moth eaten, and dirty are better candidates for replacement. Old bushings are steamed out of the wood key mortise, the mortises are sized with a sizing caul until dried. New felt bushing material is then carefully installed to the proper depth, a sizing caul inserted until glue dries, then trimmed to make a like-new installation.
Note that any damaged or cracked key button mortises must first be repaired before sizing or replacement can be completed.
Let Richard's Piano Service size or replace your worn key bushings and feel the difference!
$300 - Replace key bushings (both center and front rails)
$150 - Replace key bushings (one rail only)
$100 - Key bushing resizing (ProFelt solution and cauls - both rails)
Prices are just the price of the jobs once keys are in the shop. Add $85 service call and any applicible mileage.
Key Cross Section
of Front Guide Rail
Pin and Bushing
of Front Guide Rail
Pin and Bushing
Regular Tuning Rate:$150
(See rates page for more details)
(See rates page for more details)
Conveniently Pay Here for Piano Services Rendered!
OR
I offer Piano Tuning
Services to these areas
in Missouri:
Strafford, Mo
Springfield, Mo
Ozark, Mo
Nixa, Mo
Marshfield, Mo
Rogersville, Mo
Republic, Mo
Branson, Mo
Ash Grove, Mo
Fair Grove, Mo
Ebenezer, Mo
Cave Spring, Mo
Walnut Grove, Mo
Pleasant Hope, Mo
Sparta, Mo
and surrounding areas.
Special arrangements can sometimes be made out of my normal service area.
Services to these areas
in Missouri:
Strafford, Mo
Springfield, Mo
Ozark, Mo
Nixa, Mo
Marshfield, Mo
Rogersville, Mo
Republic, Mo
Branson, Mo
Ash Grove, Mo
Fair Grove, Mo
Ebenezer, Mo
Cave Spring, Mo
Walnut Grove, Mo
Pleasant Hope, Mo
Sparta, Mo
and surrounding areas.
Special arrangements can sometimes be made out of my normal service area.
Installing New Key Bushing and Caul
New Key Bushing in Key, on Pin
Key Bushings Before Sizing
(worn, indented, compressed, concave shape)
(worn, indented, compressed, concave shape)
Key Bushings After Sizing
(regular, straight even sides,
properly sized for guide pin)
(regular, straight even sides,
properly sized for guide pin)
Call (417) 294-3377 or email for a tuning appointment....today!
Copyright 2024 Richard W. Bushey