Key Rebushing

When a piano key moves from its rest position, felt bushings in a mortise on the underside of the key slide along a pin to guide the key in its up-and-down motion. Over time, the bushing wears and the key acquires excessive side-to-side motion. Key bushings are glued in with water-soluble glue so they can easily be removed and replaced. One of the more frequently overlooked aspects of piano maintenance, key bushings should be replaced when the key movement varies from a well-controlled vertical motion.

These photos show bushings needing to be replaced, steamed and ready to remove, mortise sizing cauls in place, and the new bushings being installed.

Stuart tunes my piano because when he’s finished the piano is in tune and holds well in Kentucky summer heat and humidity, and winter’s dryer air. I tried others but a good tuner/technician is so rare and worth the price.
Margaret K. Davidson, Kentucky