A Little Rusty In Alabama

[Bigeartb@aol.com]

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Hello everybody;
     I think I know the answer before I ask the question. 
        Today, I tuned a G-2 Yamaha, probably 1980's. We do not know the 
history of this instrument but we are checking with the owner who has left 
this piano in the care and  custody of a larger church in our area. I've 
never seen so much rust on strings in my entire careeer. It looks like the 
strings were bathed in salt water and where rust isn't is dark, black streaks 
on the wires from what appears to be a previous cleaning of rust from the 
strings. (The silver is missing)  In some places the rust is so thick it can 
be scraped with a finger nail. 
     Question: How to fix?.... Restring completely???
       Can rusty strings be cleaned and if so how does one prevent rust from 
re-accumulating? We should not oil unwound strings ......should we? How can 
rust be cleaned from the inside area of the wire coil and at each pressure 
point? 
     I brought this rust problem to the attention of the Choir Director. I 
felt he should contact the owner about this previous existing conditon of the 
instrument before it was delivered to the church.
     To be perfectly honest, I believe this instrument should be completely 
restrung especially when strings start "popping". 
     Last question. If a bass string breaks from the "hitch pin",will it 
'shoot' toward the key end. I have 'shot' them toward the tail of the piano 
across the room when broken at the tuning pin but I've never broken a string 
at the hitch pin area. 
     Mind you, I'm just getting ready to put on my flack jacket and besides 
the choir director was worried about his pianist.

Thank you all for your wisdom
Tommy Black
A Little Rusty In Decatur, Ala. 

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