<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" = xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Subject: Brasso bass = string problem<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Dear List,<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> I have a customer who tried to clean his Haines Grand = piano bass strings with Brasso.  I have not seen this piano yet.  He = says that the bass strings after application sound very bad and he wants to know what if anything, short of replacing the = bass strings can be done. I told him I had not seen this problem before and that = I would check with this list to see what ideas any of you might have as a possible solution.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Thanks,<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Arthur Chickering  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Arthur = <o:p></o:p> No doubt you have received several = e-mails advising replacement.  That is the best = solution.<o:p></o:p> For what it’s = worth:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I had a customer call me last = summer that had a Steinway grand that they “cleaned up” including the = bass strings.  Yes, they killed the strings, but they thought = there’s nothing to lose if we try to clean them.  They read the label on = the brass cleaner and discovered the solvent was petroleum distillate.  So, = they spread several layers of plastic under all the strings, then spread = several layers of newspaper over the plastic, got a gallon of mineral spirits, a = BIG bag of rags, a few vegetable brushes, and scrubbed and wiped the strings = until their wiping rags came off clean.  Then took the vacuum cleaner = hose, set to discharge and fanned the strings until all traces of mineral spirits = were gone.  The result…the former owner of the piano was their guest for = dinner and a concert.  She was thrilled to see her piano  “all = cleaned up” and sounding so beautiful, especially the rich, clear bass. I = don’t think anyone could tell by listening.  The strings were as good as before = the cleaning.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> A member of our chapter = demonstrated how he removed soda spilled on bass strings: apply liberal coat of cleaner = that will remove syrup/sugar.   Rinse with hot water.  Blow = dry with compressed air or vacuum cleaner discharge.  Wet the string(s) with = MEK, and blow dry again.  His success runs in the high 90’s = percentile.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I remain a = skeptic.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Paul C<o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </body> </html>