Protecting plain wire from rust

[Mark Schecter]

Hi, Patrick.

Thanks for the link. That's interesting about stainless. I looked
through their site, and the info seems pretty complete if one's interest
is in restoring historical instruments. I wonder whether anyone on the
list has used stainless wire for a very modern instrument, or do the
strength and elasticity numbers rule it out? Never having attempted the
math, I have no numeric reality on the difference in tension between a
"low" tension modern instrument, and a "high" tension modern instrument
using modern wire. Is the difference that large that stainless would
work on the former but not the latter?

Thanks again.

-Mark


J Patrick Draine wrote:
> You might look into <http://www.puresound-wire.com/> if you're 
> interested inl wire that won't rust -- it's stainless steel!  Jim Busby 
> gave an excellent presentation to the Boston PTG Chapter in which he 
> recounted (among other topics) his experience of restringing 8 pianos at 
> BYU with their wire.
> It was developed specifically for early instruments, but can be used on 
> modern pianos with low tension scales. E.g., good results with smaller 
> Steinways, apparently NOT advisable for a Yamaha.
> Meanwhile, I'm not putting any goo on pianos under my supervision. 
> Roslau did sell a tin coated wire, but I only heard complaints from 
> those I know who tried it.
> Patrick Draine
> On Mar 25, 2006, at 12:15 AM, Mark Schecter wrote:
> 
>> Hi, all. Here's something I've been wondering about.
>>
>> In pianos with rusty strings, I use Protek on the strings where they 
>> pass under the capo, and where they pass through the agraffes, as well 
>> as on the counterbearing felt, to help ease rendering. It works, and 
>> seems to keep on working for at least a few months, maybe longer. I 
>> have often wondered if there is any substance (such as, oh, maybe, 
>> Protek?) that people use on clean, shiny strings to prevent rust or 
>> tarnish ever developing? I could imagine taking whole rolls of wire 
>> and dipping it in a bath of XYZ-stuff before stringing, or sponging it 
>> on in the piano.
>>
>> We are instructed to coat practically every other metal surface in 
>> every device in our lives (think car) with something or other, so why 
>> not piano strings? I guess we could expand the question to include 
>> copper-wound bass strings, too, if anyone has any thoughts about 
>> those. I'm interested to hear people's ideas.
>>
>> -Mark Schecter
> 
>