S&S Gumby keys and related question

[A440A@aol.com]

Guy writes: 
<<   It holds it's own, 
tonally, .... pretty much. Outside D's have accompanied it, and matched-up 
well. It just doesn't have the control it should. Never will, with the 
current hammer bore and flex-o-matic keys! <G> >>

you may want to consider painting a coat of West System resin on the side of 
the keys, then laying carbon fiber strands in parallel alignment on the wet 
side.  The strands are availible in a variety of thickness, can be easily cut, 
but are incredibly resistant to stretching.  After they are stuck on the first 
coat, paint another thin coat over the fibers and set aside to harden.  The 
fibers should be long enough to reach from near the capstan to the distal edge 
of the keytops and cover the majority of the side dimension of the key.  A 
single layer should be more than sufficient to stiffen the key.  I would do both 
sides, waiting at least 24 hours for each to set. 
Good luck, 
 
Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html