Re-fitting the keys to the keyframe. It’s very important to make sure the keys move properly, so each bushing will be eased or tightened to ensure frictionless movement, but without any slack. It’s a fine balance…!

Detail shot of the “bellyhead” on Blüthner No.83988. A rather interesting meeting of spruce, oak, beech, and maple.

Work on the keyboard continues. Many of the leads have corroded and swollen, resulting in a lot of the keys splitting. The old leads will be removed, the holes plugged and glued with wood cut from old piano keys.

Another problem with the key leads swelling is that they start rubbing the adjacent keys – which causes all sorts of problems with keys sticking, and action noises.