[pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings

[Ed Sutton]

Shawn-
No guarantee, but I got spectacular results with this technique on an 1892 Mathushek.
If you have the Dremel set you know the little wire wheels to use.
Have the little wheel spinning perpendicular to the strings. Wedge up the damper tray so the strings can vibrate freely. It makes a wild sound, and it may be the squealing vibrations that knock out old crud and do the trick. 
If the windings are coming loose, or if there's a bridge problem, it ain't gonna help.
Ed
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Shawn Brock 
  To: Ed Sutton ; pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 8:27 AM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings


  Ed,

  I knew you would come through!  I think its worth a try in this case.  If we can just make a little improvement it will be worth it.  The guy is serious about things playing and sounding good.  He just don't have a lot of extra money to throe  behind the piano at this time.  We all should be able to understand that I think.  Thanks for your help Ed.
   Regards,
  Shawn Brock, RPT
  513-316-0563
  www.shawnbrock.com
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Ed Sutton 
    To: pianotech at ptg.org 
    Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 5:35 PM
    Subject: Re: [pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings


    Shawn-
    The article calls for going up and down the strings with a wire brush in a Dremel tool, then turning the strings one-half turn and repeating the pass with the brush.
    You may be surprised at how well this works. It may not be necessary to replace the strings, and it won't cost much to test and find out.
    Ed Sutton

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Shawn Brock <shawnbrock at fuse.net>

        To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>

        Sent: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 6:42 am
        Subject: [pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings


        List,

        I know we had an insightful article in the Journal some time back about restoring tone to bass strings.  Apparently some of my copies of the PTJ were lost in my move back to Cincinnati, so I don't have what I need when I need it.  The problem strings are just a few bychords and the piano is an old Smith and Nickson art case.  The fellow who bought it got a heck of a deal and it don't need a lot of work.  We have to take care of these bass strings though.  He will be using it in a professional recording studio and tubby bass notes just won't do.  So other than the obvious turn and role what would any of you recommend?  

        Regards,
        Shawn Brock, RPT
        513-316-0563
        www.shawnbrock.com


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