Protecting plain wire from rust

[Mark Schecter]

Hi, Andrew.

I guess "approved" means it's a trade secret?! Since Boston=Kawai, this
sort of addresses my question about manufacturers, to a point. I thought
it might collect a bit of dust. But now I'm wondering, what climates do
they consider wet enough to warrant grease, and is the SF Bay Area one
of them? And do they really decide before stringing which pianos are to
be sold into a given climate area? Or do they, as I understand Yamaha
does, decide which piano is going where before seasoning the wood?

I agree on Edwards string covers, but on some pianos, or for some
owners, the solution is not practical/desired. For instance, performance
pianos that are moved, opened and closed by stage hands, it would be
difficult to manage DC/stringCovers, yet protection from tarnish is
highly desirable.

So what is the grease that Boston uses?

Thanks!

-Mark

Andrew and Rebeca Anderson wrote:
> Mark,
> Boston uses an "approved" grease on their unwound stringing destined for 
> wetter climates.  Piano voicing can redistribute this a little and it 
> tends to collect hammer felt and dust.   I personally recommend using 
> Edwards StringCovers.  The felt prevents condensation and buffers 
> humidity.  Combined with a DC and undercover the whole piano is well 
> protected.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Andrew Anderson
> 
> At 11:15 PM 3/24/2006, you 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
> 
> 
>