Ron writes: << BTW, since this came up, there's something I've wondered for a long time. How do techs who can't touch strings without corroding them change or splice broken strings in field repairs? Do any of you folks carry gloves? >> Usually, the broken string is already covered in a patina of iron oxide, and a little contact with the hand of Foote doesn't make any difference. I wear gloves when I tune, though. It allows me to touch the strings without fear of corroding them. I do keep a small jar of soapstone in the stringing case for those times when I am changing a string or replacing one. A light dusting on the fingers keeps the oils and acids busy until the string is in. When installing strings, I not only wash my hands first, but also wrap thin masking tape around the fingers and keep a coating of talc on them while I work. Seems effective, judging by the lack of prints on the stringing jobs I have done and continue to tune. Regards, Ed Foote RPT http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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