TARNISHED STRINGS

[stzorfas]

I bought a new Mason and Hamlin BB a few months ago and already I notice a black
tarnish developing on some of the mid-range and treble strings.  They are spotty
black deposits.  Should I be concerned?  What is this?  I do use a humidifier
and I was wondering if that has anything to do with it? I keep the humdity around
35-45% (sometimes it will get a little higher).  Will these deposits affect the tuning?
MOST IMPORTANT- how do I clean the strings to avoid the tarnish from developing
and how do I prevent this from getting worse

[gfiore]

 The spots could be from could be caused by the humidifier, they could also be coused by contaminates in the air like cooking oils, cleaning sprays etc. How close is the humidifier to the piano?
 They will not effect the tuning. Have your tech address this problem during the next tuning appt.
 The best method of controlling humidity would be to have a Dampp_Chaser system installed in the piano. The DC system will control this problem, and several others better tahn a room humidifier, or de-humidifier.

[alzado]

I have had my piano for about 16 years-- purchased it new in 1990.  It is a "Howard by Baldwin" 5'8".

One very odd thing involving string tarnish.  Most of my wound bass strings are somewhat darkened and showing a not unpleasant degree of oxidation.  However, about three of these wound bass strings are a bright copper color almost as though they were brand new.

No strings have ever been changed, to my knowledge.  The piano tuner cannot account for why this should have happened.

[cy_shuster]

Please let your tuner clean the strings, if she or he thinks it necessary; don't try it yourself.  It's too easy to do damage with the wrong chemicals.  Yes, it's possible that corrosion can affect the sound.

--Cy--

[tosca1]

The little dark oxidation spots appear on most unwound piano strings and over time they will develop into rust. My piano tuner/ technician told me that the best way to remove them is to use a small pad of green nylon pot scouring material and gently rub the spots.
You must of course be very careful and only a very light pressure is needed, otherwise you could stretch the string. 
Do NOT use this on the copper wound strings as the particles could clog the windings and reduce the vibrating efficiency of the string.
I also use a dehumidier to keep the humidity levels under control.

This method certainly keeps the wire strings in pristine condition and the inside of the piano always looks new.

Robert.