Methods and best practices for cleaning a musical instrument. Everyday cleaning maintains an instrument's quality in the long term. Cleaning up an old instrument, even if previously unplayable, can make it performance ready again.
Questions tagged [instrument-cleaning]
34 questions
13
votes
4 answers
Any tips for cleaning a violin from the early 1900s to make it usable again
Recently my grandfather gave me my great-grandmother's violin. He told me this violin was handmade in the early 1900s and it is an extremely precious family heirloom. The last time this instrument was regularly used was in the 70s when my aunt was…
NGT
- 135
- 7
11
votes
4 answers
How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart?
I have seen many videos on "how to clean harmonicas", but in all of them, you have to take the harmonica apart, clean it and reassemble it.
The thing is there's no marine band harmonica in my country. I bought it from the US on Amazon and I can't…
Lynob
- 621
- 2
- 8
- 17
9
votes
2 answers
What are some ways to sanitize an acoustic guitar?
I'm picking up a used Taylor guitar tomorrow and because of everything that's going on I want to make sure I sanitize it. Would clorox wipes be bad for the guitar? Does anyone have suggestions on what to use? Any help would be great!
Joy
- 91
- 1
7
votes
4 answers
Crash cymbal turned green
What makes it green? Any way to clean this? It looks so much like old Chinese pottery.
user53472
7
votes
5 answers
Is olive oil good for oiling a guitar fretboard?
I need to oil and clean my guitar fretboard and was wondering if a damp cloth and olive oil is good for this?
Unknown
- 705
- 2
- 7
- 15
7
votes
3 answers
How to clean a tuba thoroughly
A tuba is quite large, and can be quite a challenge to clean thoroughly on both inside and outside. I need some good advice on how to do this properly without harming the mechanisms.
awe
- 3,874
- 2
- 22
- 51
7
votes
3 answers
Clean and polish an old violin
My violin is an old(ish) violin, an early 1900s copy of an 1818 German one. On Sunday as my wife and I were watching TV a loud noise came from my violin and I rushed over to find the tailpiece had spontaneously snapped in two. I am fitting another…
dumbledad
- 2,489
- 18
- 34
6
votes
2 answers
cleaning trombone slide where outer slide is under the inner slide
I have been playing for some time, but have never found a good way to clean the inner slide up inside the part where the outer slide is under the metal in first position
I've tried tooth picks and cloths and water and detergent, but it can't be…
user5638
- 61
- 1
6
votes
4 answers
How do I clean the windway on my recorder?
I have a plastic soprano recorder about ten years old. Over the years its accumulated some dirt or something in the windway. it has a straight windway. What is the best way to clean it out? Could any damage be done to it during the cleaning process…
American Luke
- 7,319
- 8
- 45
- 91
6
votes
4 answers
How to clean a marine band harmonica that cannot be unscrewed?
I've discussed that subject before, and you all insisted that i have to unscrew it.
Now I have this marine band, you have to see to believe!
Here's a folder containing all the photos that you may want to see
there's no screws on this one, it has…
Lynob
- 621
- 2
- 8
- 17
5
votes
1 answer
Disinfecting woodwind instruments
I've bought an interesting instrument recently, a zurna, which I was really excited about. The problem is the same day I first used it (without cleaning it before, yes I know, stupid) I got quite an unpleasant case of gastroenteritis. I can not say…
5
votes
2 answers
How to disassemble a tuba for cleaning
When I remove the valves of a piston tuba, do I remove the spring also?
Damian Portela
- 51
- 1
4
votes
2 answers
How can I remove toothpaste residue from my fretboard?
The last time I thoroughly cleaned my Taylor 214ce-SB DLX, I used toothpaste to polish the frets. I got lazy towards the end and stopped taping off the wood, resulting in toothpaste getting into the grain of the wood and the edges of the frets (see…
1dareu2mov3
- 197
- 6
4
votes
3 answers
Right piano pedal is bright
The piano at my home has three pedals, and the one at the right is brighter and shinier than the other two. What has happened? Is it normal?
user53472
4
votes
3 answers
How should I clean my fingerboard without damaging my violin?
The other day I was teaching some 5 and 6 year old friends about my violin, and they drew the bow all over the fingerboard, making the strings sticky. I don't want to damage my violin while cleaning it, but it's hard to work with and I do need to…
wariya
- 143
- 6