I purchased brand new keyboard bushings from Archive Sound.  These replace the old rubber bushings underneath the fronts of the keys.  These bushings cushion the key press and key release, and the Archive Sound web page promises a completely different feeling keyboard.  So...Do they deliver?

You get a series of these bushings in your package, in my case 45 (44 and one for good luck, I guess).  Cost is about $1 per key.  The bushings look pretty close to what was there before, except they're black and they seem to have longer fins (unless the fins on my old ones were worn down by age).  The material they're made from is very pliable, and they are sent covered in some kind of lubricant.

Installation was quite simple.  Archive Sound has installation instructions on their site (which you should read), but I thought it'd be good to get some pictures while I had my Mini's keyboard out and write first-hand what I did, since you may be thinking about doing this.

IMPORTANT:  I AM AN AMATEUR.  I may be doing something wrong that'll wreck your machine.  It's YOUR machine, YOU take the risk if you follow my steps here.  If you know less than I do, you'd better take your machine to a service person.  I'm right on the edge of doing that myself.  :-)

Tools required:

Steps:

Remove the Minimoog keyboard.  I'd never done this before, but it turns out to be really easy on a Minimoog.  Remember to call your friend over to help you when needed.

1. Turn the Mini over and remove the bottom cover.
2. Mark the keyboard connector for easy reassembly--it is not keyed, so mark it so you put the correct edges back together.
   
3. Snip the tie wrap holding the connector together and unplug the keyboard connector.
4. Put the Mini up on its right hand edge.
5. Loosen the screws holding the Pitch/Mod wheels.  Remove them as one unit and set on top of the Mini.
   
6. Loosen the four screws that hold in the keyboard.
7. There are wooden blocks on each of the four screws.  Don't mix them up, as they are different sizes for a reason.  I labeled them.
   
8. Gently tilt the front of the keyboard out from its usual resting spot and pull forward, taking care that none of the wires are snagging anywhere.  Be careful not to hit the buss bar and spring contacts as you remove the keyboard (replacing those contact springs or a bent buss bar is major surgery).
9. The keyboard should come right out.

Remove the old bushings.  Some of these may be brittle or stuck onto the keys, so be sure you get all the chunks out.  The below description is the "easy" way.

1. Remove each key by unscrewing the slotted screw on the top.  Push the key forward, and it'll come off easily.
2. Reach in under the metal part of the key with the tool to remove the old bushing (very small screwdriver or---in my case---the big pin).  I jammed it underneath the bushing, pried up and pulled forward.
   
   The old bushing should come out (in the picture on the right you can see the old white/gray bushing getting dragged out), although it may be a bit of a struggle.  You may need to cut it up using some kind of blade and remove the pieces.  Remember to get all the chunkies out!

If you get stuck and cannot get the old bushing out, you can try the "hard" way (it's not difficult, it just is slightly more involved).

1. You don't need to remove the keycap, but if all you're removing is a black key, you will need to remove any blocking white keys (or their keycaps).
2. Turn the keyboard around.
3. Remove the spring on the back of the keyboard of the key you wish to remove.  I used long nosed pliers.
4. Tilt the key up from the back until it clears its post, then push it forward.
5. The key slides off the front.
6. You will clearly see the bushing.  NOTE:  You will also see the "bellcap" that covers the rod that is pushed when you press the key.  Do not lose this.  Put it back where it belongs before you put the key back on.

For more information about the Pratt & Read keyboard, the kind of contact cleaner to use, the kind of grease to use on the bellcaps, where to get parts and more, see Schober Organ Notes No. 56.

Replace the bushings after you clear out all the old bushing's chunkies.

1. There is no front/back for these bushings, so they can go on however you want them to.
2. My suggestion:  Each bushing has two sides that are shaped like a "V".  This is top and bottom.  Find the "V" that has a little more material---it'll be a little thicker at the bottom of the "V" than the other side.  Let this "thicker" side be the top.
3. Slide the hole over the holder and push as far as you can with your fingers.
4. Using a flat blade screw driver, push against that "thick" part of the "V" until it won't go anymore, but be careful you don't wreck the bushing.  Then push on the bottom part to get it to go over the bend in the holder.  Push a little more on the "thick" side if you have to.  It should pop on without much fuss.
5. If you have taken all the keys off using the "hard" way, you may be able to push the bushing on using your fingers and no tools.

Screw your keycaps back on (or put your keys back on and reattach the springs if you used the "hard" way), and you're ready to go.

That's all there is to it.

Now replace the keyboard, very much in the reverse order of removal.  Call your friend over to help again.

1. With the Mini up on its side, slide the keyboard back in.  Don't lose any of the little wood pieces on the screws---make sure they stay put.  Get the keyboard as close to its original position as possible.
2. Slide the Pitch/Mod wheel section back in its place.  Note that the back edge fits into a slot in the wood (this holds the back part of the Pitch/Mod wheel assembly in place---it just slides into the groove).  Tighten the two screws that hold it in place on the front.
3. Now tighten the keyboard with its four screws on the very bottom of the Mini.
4. Reconnect the keyboard.
5. Test the machine.  If not working, fix.
6. Replace the tie wrap on the keyboard connector.
7. Put the bottom back on.

You're done.

So...Do the new keyboard bushings deliver as promised?

I knew you'd ask.  Here's what I noticed straight away:

After I got rid of the squirrely notes (see above), I put the Mini back together and played it for a while.  OSC 1 did me the favor of working for a few minutes.  Well, the verdict is in.  If the Mini wasn't addictive enough to twiddle and play already, it's now even more addictive.  The keyboard demands to be played.  It's not mushy like keyboards in other synths.  It's crisp, it requires just the right amount of pressure, and it feels solid.  I know the Archive Sound kit made a difference.