[pianotech] Cleaning bass strings

[Joe Goss]

Hi
I would think that one would want to bring the pot you are using to a hard 
boil just prior to removing the strings so that all of the water on the 
strings would flash off.
Too much work for me with not much in the way of assured success.
Would never try it on a customers piano. However we have one gent in our 
area who makes a living turning around old beaters. Humm
Joe Goss BSMusEd MMusEd RPT
imatunr at srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <johnparham at piano88.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Cleaning bass strings


I recently visited a music store in Hickory and spoke to some musicians
who have been playing guitar for over 30 years, so they're borderline
"seasoned veterans."  They have friends who insist that boiling guitar
bass strings rejuvenate the wound strings.  They asked me if it works on
bass strings in a piano.  I told them no, mainly because extended life
on a guitar means another week or two of playing; extended life on a
piano means another 10 years.  After 10 years, rust can consume a set of
piano strings.

Since that conversation I have revisited that question several times in
my mind.

Has anyone ever tried boiling bass strings on a piano? If you boiled
them you would have to 1)thoroughly dry them before putting them on the
piano, and/or 2) lubricate them to make sure they did not rust.

-John Parham

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [pianotech] Cleaning bass strings
> From: lee innocent <ljinno at googlemail.com>
> Date: Thu, March 24, 2011 10:21 am
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>
>
> Hello again,
> I am also interested in the different methods used to clean up bass 
> strings
> whilst in the piano.  Working on a piano, customer doesnt want it 
> restrung,
> They sound reasonable, but I would be interested in cleaning them up to 
> see
> if there is a noticable improvement and also, for a visual improvemnt.
> Thanks
> Lee