Polishing bass strings

[Farrell]

If this piano is "brand-spanking new", then aren't we talking about a
warranty issue? Should one accept a new piano "with some sort of oxidation"
streaks running across the middle of the lid?

Terry Farrell




> Hi fixpianos,
>
> In addition to what Ron N. wrote, in Reblitz's book he says you can use
> a "fine, flexible, rotary brass brush" attached to a variable speed
> drill to clean them. He warns against using too much pressure in case
> the windings are loosened. I've never done it, just relaying
> information.
>
> - John
>
>
> >> Ok, you've had your fun. Now kindly lower yourselves to my level and
> >> respond to an honest question by an RPT with over 30 years of
> >> experience. Knowing my name won't help you answer my question.
> >
> > No, but showing up as an actual person with a real identity when you
> > are asking for help might just possibly give you some credibility and
> > validation you don't automatically have from behind the curtain.
> > Contributing, is the apparent implication that after 30 years, this
> > has just now come to your attention and become a concern. But perhaps
> > I judge too quickly.
> >
> >
> >> I'm talking about new or new-ish strings with some discoloration due
> >> to someone's fingers straying where they shouldn't, as well as
> >> brightening-up those strings that don't need to be replaced yet.
> >
> > Thank you. That's helpful, and puts it in a specific category.
> >
> >
> >> By the way, under my care is a Steinway "D" that came from the
> >> factory (in other words "brand-spanking new") with some sort of
> >> oxidation running across 6-8 strings. It looks as though someone took
> >> a sweaty hand and just wiped it across them.
> >
> > That's most likely exactly what happened. I've seen plenty of
> > instances of just this in dealers' showrooms, and in the new owners'
> > living rooms after the sale.
> >
> >
> >> And who among us hasn't left fingerprints on a newly-installed set of
> >> bass strings?
> >>
> >> Or perhaps technicians at your level don't do that sort of thing.
> >
> > I haven't, as far as I know. This has nothing whatsoever to do with my
> > "level" as a technician. It has everything to do with my personal
> > bodily chemistry and the severe lack of moisture in the epidermis of
> > my digital appendages - a condition that has no acknowledged snob
> > value that I'm aware of, just nuisance value when my fingertips split
> > and bleed all winter.
> >
> > To answer your question, I don't typically try to polish wrapped
> > strings, so I don't have a fool-proof answer for you. I do, however,
> > question the assumption that scratching the copper is necessarily
> > undesirable. I can't see where it would hurt a thing unless you chewed
> > it up badly with something coarse and abrasive, or generated loose
> > liquid, dust, or fibers that would get into the wrap. So if I was
> > going to try and minimize big purple hand prints on new bass strings,
> > I'd scrub them down with a dry Scotch Brite pad and hope for the best.
> > If that didn't work, I'd learn to love big purple hand prints.
> >
> > My name's in the header. Who am I talking to?
> >
> > Ron N
> >
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> >
>
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