Ethan said:
  Isn't the reason the original equipment came with
rubber pads was to
 minimize
 wear of the PCB contacts? 
    As I said, this has been working fine for a couple of years now.  The
channel up and down keys get a LOT of use too.
    I'd be afraid copper tape would oxidize and you'd be right back where
you started.
    Paul Pennington
    Augusta, Georgia