I don't know. I was once told never to use any liquids on bass strings, but then heard later of success with various solvents. I once polished the top sides of the bass strings, leaving them in the piano, and didn't notice any change in tone. But maybe with them removed, the rubbing loosens up the winding just enough to affect the tone ??? There are so many mysteries in this trade, each one with twenty different explanations. --David Nereson, RPT -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]On Behalf Of gordon stelter Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:03 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Why NOT to polish bass strings....... I just did an extensive house call on a 1941 Knabe, 5'4". After removing the bass strings from the hitch pins, and running them through the Defubbomizer, I took my gray "Scotch-Brite" pad ( or was it 0000 steel wool ?) and started to polish. But, after the first 2 strings, a "birdie" told me not to! Then I flushed them with brake part cleaner, hooked them back up, and pulled to pitch. The 2 I polished were noticeably duller in tone. ( So I gave the customer a discount. ) Was it what I used, or will ANY polishing of bass strings harm the tone ??? I won't do any more, until certain. Peace, Thump __________________________________________________________________________ __________ Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/
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