the problems multiply

So. As the author of Beowulf puts it.

My plan to put on a fresh set of shiny new key tops is quashed by necessity. By simple arithmetic. The joys of restoring an antique instrument!

Presently, piano dimensions are somewhat standardized. Certainly one company may make a 6 foot 8 inch instrument and another a 6 foot 9 inch, but some things, like the octave span, are fixed. Nowadays, that span is 6 1/2 inches.

You may recall that I noticed that some of my replacement ivory keys, which had been salvaged from superannuated instruments, were a little wide. I began to take measurements, and do some internet research, and I found out that 6 1/2 standard for octaves. That means each white key top is 28/32 of an inch in width, or 7/8.
However, my Mathushek has an octave of 6 3/8 inches, and keys 27/32 of an inch.

So, ho, that means a new set of keys will not install on my keyboard. I am left now with gluing back the snaggle toothed keys, and using a few of the replacement keys that are narrower than modern standard.

Which means I need to see what kind of stuff I can use to fill the chunks missing in my keys. Some kind of plastic filler that will dry hard, and which I can sand down, at least to fill the holes. Oh well, I wanted to keep the ivory anyway, now I have to.

I was just joking yesterday with my friend Brad OB, when we were watching a TV show. Someone said, "Well, on to Plan B," and I said, "That's never a good sign."
But on to Plan B it is.

And there is a real problem that I have not yet discussed with you folks, which I have no real idea how to finesse. It involves the strings, so I will put that off for the time being.

contemporaneous advert

New York Daily Tribune Wed Sept 11, 1867

A GREAT SOUL IN A SMALL BODY,

NEW INVENTION IN PIANOS.

THE MATHUSHEK PIANOS recently invented by Mr. Frederick Mathushek (author of the principal improvements in pianos), differ from all Others in having the strings cross the frame in both directions. This equalizes the strain upon the frame, and insures greater durability and longer continuance in tune than can be had by any other method. The BRIDGE also, runs the whole length of the sounding-board, an entirely new feature, which gives greater power and better tone than is found in any other instruments.

The smallest size square, the Colibri, four feet nine inches long, seven octaves, equals in all respects the full size of other makers; while the full size, the ORCHESTRAL, is equal to any CONCERT GRAND.

FRANZ SCHLOTTER, the eminent pianist, says: "The COLIBRI I consider the chef d’oeuvre in the musical world, its tone is not equaled by the largest sized square or upright Pianos of any factory in this country."

H. MOLLENHAUER, of  the Conservatory of Music, says: “ I with great pleasure bear my unqualified testimony to the great superiority of the Mathushek Pianos over all others."

Many other testimonials equally strong have been freely given. Please call and examine, or send for Descriptive Circular to. BARLOW