string cleaning

[Tom Cole]

Bill Kidd wrote:
> 
> I use the Polita steel polish (Schaff #169) in the handle (Schaff # 169H)
> It is bar of emery impregnated rubber eraser. The idea was conceived many
> years ago and still works great.
> 
> My question how do you polish the back side of the wire without removing
> from the instrument? Is it for cosmetic reasons or does removing the rust
> improve the sound of the wire?
> Bill Kidd

I would think that it is for cosmetic reasons and I doubt that it makes
any difference in the sound. At least, I haven't noticed a change after
polishing the wire. Since the speaking length is the part that gets
polished, I could see why you might think that sound was part of the
purpose. If anything, I would think that rubbing the strings with an
abrasive would have a deleterious effect, especially if you rubbed more
on one spot than another, creating a thin spot. You might have to rub
like crazy to get a noticeable false beat, though.

Polishing the back side, or underside, of each string is not a practical
consideration, if you go along with the cosmetic rationale. Furthermore,
in the case of a grand, the corrosion is primarily on the top of the
strings; if you have ever taken an extra twist in a bass string of an
older piano, you might notice the difference where part of the shiny
bottom becomes the top. So, I can't see going to the trouble of
polishing the back surfaces which you can't see, that aren't all that
rusty, which don't affect the tone quality anyway.

My theory is that, first of all, dust settles on the tops of the
strings, not the bottoms, and that moisture collects in the dust
particles which then encourages corrosion.

I do polish strings occasionally, especially if it is a late model grand
which is rusting prematurely (and is, hopefully, getting a string cover
and/or some climate control). I haven't used the Polita method in years
since switching to Scotchbrite pads. They work well for me (without
leaving the mess that steel wool does).

Tom
-- 
Thomas A. Cole, RPT
Santa Cruz, CA
mailto:tcole@cruzio.com