varney Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 I've had a metal ended Crabb concertina brought to me which I suspect may be suffering the effects of corrosive sweat from the player's hands. I saw this instrument a couple of years ago just before it's current owner obtained it and the ends were in nice condition with just the typical wear you'd expect to see on a vintage instrument. The nickel ends and buttons now have a slight green hue all over and a rough dry feel to the surface almost like a very fine sandpaper. More of a problem is the fact that this corrosion seens to have infiltrated to the reeds with many of the brass shoes coated in verdigris and some tongues displaying surface rust. I'm not fully sure that sweaty hands could have this effect on the reeds so perhaps I'm wrong. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had experience of this or found a way to cope with the ongoing problem? I'd imagine giving the instrument a wipe with a soft cloth after playing would certainly help but if there's any better approach I'd appreciate hearing details. Michael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 Not everyone's skin secretions are the same . I'm not a doctor and cannot quantify these differences but as a Pipemaker I see quite a variance in the affects on various metals due to handling/ playing by my customers. Luckily for me I do not suffer from a skin ph which causes rapid tarnishing of metals that contain copper but some people do. I would also be interested in suggestions of how to create a barrier between players and their instruments in these situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunks Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 I think wiping your concertina is a secondary line of defense. If you are a moist person, wiping and or drying your hands before and even during play ( between tunes) would be a good idea, but if it's getting to the reeds and shoes it may be an atmospheric problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoover Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 It's chlorides in sweat that can dissolve nickel-silver, so stainless steel ends have been the savior for me. But as to internal corrosion, perhaps due to proximity to the ocean? Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Nickel plating is one way to protect nickel silver/brass parts that regularly come into contact with sweaty hands. The internal corrosion sounds more like something in the atmosphere it's being played in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 I recall hearing that keeping an instrument in an Oak box can cause server tarnishing of copper based alloys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varney Posted February 15, 2020 Author Share Posted February 15, 2020 Thanks folks...it seems the owner does have a problem with a corrosive quality in their sweat ( I believe guitarist Rory Gallagher had similar and it ate through the finish on his Fender ). Coupled with this the owner also goes out to an island to play in sessions so obviously the combination of both has caused the problems. As an ongoing solution Im suggesting they wipe the instrument with a clean dry cloth after playing. Also keeping silica packs in the case to absorb any moisture. Would fine cloth baffles be of any help to prevent airborne salt from penetrating to the reeds? Am reluctant to suggest this as I wouldn't want the sound to be altered in any way but if they would prevent further problems it might be worth considering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunks Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 There are bar soaps that alter skin PH if that's the issue. Upon return from the island or other adverse environment give your box a good work out involving all the keys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hulme Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 (edited) I have noticed that some orchestral violinists' perspiration wears away the varnish where the heel of the hand contacts the top rib of the instrument. A very light coat of Renaissance Wax acts as a barrier to this and is easily replaced. Mike Edited February 15, 2020 by Mike Hulme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.elliott Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Contact Bill Crossland, he has a process whereby he has the end polished to a high degree, then uses a clear lacquer, similar to the clear over base in a automotive paint system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Crossland Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 (edited) I have used this process on both old and new nickel silver ends with success. Baritone Anglo with newly plated ends pictured below. Not sure there would be equal success with chromed or silver plated ends...... Edited February 16, 2020 by Bill Crossland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Harrison Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 When my children were small we did the Suzuki violin method with them for years....from 3 1/2 to 18 yrs of age. We were constantly changing my daughter's strings because they corroded where her fingers stopped the strings and my son's hardly ever. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Madge Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 The last time I had an eye test my optician remarked that I must have a slight nickel allergy as the frames were reacting to my sweat. Apparently some people suffer from this condition, in varying degrees, that seems to act in a self destructive loop. The allergy causes sweat, which then attacks the metal more, releasing more ions to aggravate the allergy. i just try to keep the ends clean and wipe the finger tips to absorb sweat occasionally whilst playing a session. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.elliott Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Bill’s process gives an impermeable barrier between skin and metal, just commenting. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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