Dear List, My thanks to Susan Kline, Kit Cleworth, Greg Torres, & Paul McCloud for their response to my question about improving the tone on some dead bass wires -> which had beer or mix drink spilled on them. I was surprised that H2O was the solvent of choice in this case ! I supposed that if the wire was wiped off immediately and blown with a hair drier that the forming of more rust wouldn't be such a risk. I will do some experimenting with water on at least one string to see if there is any longevity to such a cleanup. I don't think it could make it any worse at this point. I see this piano once per month and will report on any long term success or failure. Greg's proposed experiment to burn away the contaminents with a heat gun, I think, I would reserve for a moment when I already have the customer's request for new strings and have the new wire in my hands. I wonder at what temperature ??? you might change the tempering of the core wire, and if it could be weakened and break. ??? Thanks for all your imput, Mike Erickson, Tucson, AZ.
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