Brasso bass string problem

[Paul Chick (Earthlink)]

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Subject: Brasso bass string problem

 

Dear List,

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.

 

Thanks,

Arthur Chickering  

 

Arthur 

No doubt you have received several e-mails advising replacement.  That is
the best solution.

For what it's worth:

 

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.

 

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.

 

I remain a skeptic.

 

Paul C


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