Why, oh why??

[Foots]

Just picked up a '79 Mark I 73 from CL for $300, but boy does it need love. Looks like somebody rebushed the keys with balance rail/front rail felts. I am new to doing Rhodes restorations, but I have a feeling this was not the appropriate method. It also missing the case top, a leg and the sustain pedal/rod. A lot of the key caps are trashed too.

Can anybody give an opinion as to whether its worth restoring or should I just use it for parts?

Keith

[Ben Bove]

Well you got it for the right price.  In a case like this, you probably just want to get the piano playing.  My concern about rebushing the balance rail felts here with a "factory" set is that it looks like there's quite a gap now around the pin.  It may not be reversible, however that doesn't render the piano unplayable and for parts only. 

The real question is, are the keys binding up where they're slow to return, or a lot of rubbing?  Do the keys stay relatively straight as they're depressed or do they wobble left and right a lot?  Ultimately, if you can get smooth movement where these felts aren't creating a problem, it might be ok.  Worst case, you could do a rebushing with slightly thicker felt to compensate for any larger gap.  I don't think it's a deal killer to make it a playable piano at least.  Just make sure they're glued in place, and not just jammed in there with the propensity to fall out.

[JanneI]

Try couple of different felt thicknesses for those keys if the regular size isn't thick enough. My suggestion is to buy something like this:

http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/n-ww20x/sramxo/products/738/images/2843/Key_Bushing_Tip_Burning_Blade__74824.1385738153.1280.1280.JPG?c=2

and use temperature adjustable soldering iron (or just switch on/off all the time) to get those old ones off. Then you need a lot of clamps to hold the new felts in place while the glue dryes.

And for the white key caps...that's even more work. The caps of the -79 piano should come off pretty easily with a sharp knife. Glueing new ones is fast, but then you need to file the sides (straight!) by hand. New caps are never exactly same size with your keys.

It's a lot of work, been there done that. If you are restoring it for resale, too much work, imho. If you're restoring it for yourself and have time to spend, then go for it!

[Foots]

Thanks guys. Turns out whoever desecrated this poor thing used little sticky felt circles like you put under coasters, lamps etc. They come out pretty easily. I've been researching re-doing the bushings and while I'm sure I could do it, I may send it out to be done.

Is there a standard size for the guide pins on the front/balance rail for these babies? If I decide to do it myself, I will need to get the correct cauls. I looked in the service manual and here in the forum but didn't find anything. 

[pianotuner steveo]

Another option is to remove and replace the key buttons. I think you can still buy them pre-bushed. This would be a much faster method- especially for a novice.