Can I sell my piano with ivory keys?

Can I sell my piano with ivory keys?

The American piano industry voluntarily abandoned ivory as a key-covering material and switched to plastic in the mid-1950s. This means that individuals and dealers will not be permitted to buy, sell, or take in trade ivory-keyed pianos, unless the ivory is removed from the piano before the instrument is moved.

How can I tell if my piano keys are real ivory?

Ivory keys are made in three pieces–key, stem and front, where as plastic keytops only have two pieces–the top and front. If you look closely at the keys, you can see the fine line that is the joint between the keytop and the stem. If this line is present, your keys are indeed ivory.

Do they still use ivory for piano keys?

Ivory from elephant tusks is no longer used to make piano keys and there is a global ban on trade of ivory. Unfortunately, illegal poaching of elephants continues today. Ivory typically comes from the tusks of elephants. However virtually all pianos made since the 1970s use plastic for their keytops or keys.

Are old piano parts worth anything?

An antique piano is one which is at least 100 years old. Like antique books, antique pianos are not worth a lot of money just because they are old. In actuality these old instruments may be worth very little at all. Most antique, upright pianos are worth $500 or less in very good condition.

How much are ivory piano keys worth?

They’re brilliant snow -white in color, and will look perfect 50 years from now. Used pianos can have these new key tops installed for $400-$500. An incredible upgrade which we recommend. We’ll give credit where it is due: Many players loved the feel of ivory, its texture and porosity.

What year did they stop using ivory for piano keys?

Many American piano manufacturers discontinued using ivory in the early 1970s, however, some international manufacturers in parts of Europe and Asia continued using ivory throughout the 1980s, until ivory trade was finally banned in an effort led by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in …

How do you restore ivory piano keys?

You can also clean the ivory keys with mild white toothpaste. Be sure to use normal, plain white toothpaste only. The gel and colored toothpaste corrode and discolor ivory. After wiping away the white toothpaste residue with whole milk the keys are to be dried immediately.

What can I do with an unwanted piano?

Determine is your broken piano is beyond repair – if it can be fixed, it may have more value being donated. Check to see if your local trash or junk removal service, charities, and recycling facility accepts pianos or offers piano disposal service. Schedule a pickup time with piano movers.

Is the ivory on old pianos worth anything?

One of the most common questions we receive is whether ivory piano keys are worth money. Indeed, ivory is illegal to buy and sell in most places today. Since ivory is scarce, it makes sense to think that they have some value if in good condition. Sadly, this is far from the case.

How do you clean ivory piano keys?

How to Clean Ivory Keys

1. Take a spare cloth and add a layer of toothpaste.
2. Next, take a separate piece of cloth and add a few drops of milk to lightly dampen the cloth.
3. Gently dab the keys with the damp cloth and finally wipe down the keys with a new, dry soft cloth.

How can I tell if I have real ivory?

Though authentic ivory is made from elephant tusks, people imitate with bone or even plastic, which can be weighted to feel like ivory. You can usually tell if the piece is a fake made of bone by observing the tunnels in the bones – authentic ivory will have no striations.

What can you do with ivory piano keys?

So the market for selling ivory keys tops is very limited. So what can you do with ivory keys you don’t need? The best thing you can do is give them to your piano technician. Many times a technician will keep some ivory key tops with them in case one needs to be replaced on a piano. No two ivories are the same.

What can you do with old piano keys?

If you’re considering recycling a piano and think you will need to remove the keys, don’t toss them in the trash! Instead, use them to create a chandelier. This peculiar pendant is guaranteed to be a conversation starter, whether it’s suspended over a dining room table or illuminating a music room.

Are there any ivory keys that are the same?

No two ivories are the same. However, there is a possibility they can match a key to an existing piano when a key top needs to be replaced if they have a big enough collection of old ivories of different sizes and hues. Before the laws tightened, a set of ivory keys could have been worth thousands of dollars.

Can a piano key top match a piano?

Many times a technician will keep some ivory key tops with them in case one needs to be replaced on a piano. No two ivories are the same. However, there is a possibility they can match a key to an existing piano when a key top needs to be replaced if they have a big enough collection of old ivories of different sizes and hues.