cruddy bass strings

[A440A at aol.com]

<<      A customer of mine has an old upright that the previous owner used 
brasso or something on the bass strings. It is encrusted between the 
windings. 
What can be used to clean these up? Is ammonia ok? >>

No,  it will simply waste your time and stink up the piano.  You will have to 
either replace them, or take them loose and flex them around to loosen the 
crud before bringing back up to tension. Even then, it is iffy that it will 
help. 
Regards,



Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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