Gluing the Heads

It's decision time! Before continuing, please read Chapter 6, pages 4-6. The score lines described on these pages can be done before or after the key heads are glued onto the keysticks. Doing it afterwards guarantees that the score lines will line up from one key to the next, but a slip of the Xacto knife can ruin the keyboard. Doing it before gluing eliminates this risk but adds a slight risk that the score lines will not line up perfectly from key to key. Read about the Key Scoring Jig in chapter 35 and decide which method is best for you. Lately, I've been using the jig and scoring the heads before gluing them on. It's slower - but safer! If you decide to score the keys before gluing them on, the time to do it is NOW!

Time to glue the heads to their keys. A straightedge is clamped across the keys exactly 1 3/8” [34.9 mm] (Line HI) from the front edge of the keys – regardless of the length of the head you’ve decided to use. Liquid hide glue is applied to the head and its key, and the head is positioned on its key with its rear edge butted up against the straightedge. A simple rub joint is used. Then the top surface of the head is moistened with water to equalize the moisture from the glue on the bottom surface. Even though the ebony head is very hard and small, I have had them curl from time to time. If this happens, it’s impossible to fix – the head must be removed and replaced. If you feel the need, you can clamp the heads with a small plastic clothespin, just for insurance. I don't find this to be necessary. Here’s what it looks like.