CAUT

  • 1.  Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-10-2019 10:45
    Hi gang,

    Someone us asking if they can use Blu Tack on a piano. I haven't found out yet exactly what they plan on doing, but I wonder if anyone knows what it's made of. It's a moldable adhesive putty, I'm worried that it contains silicone. Seems to be a trade secret so I haven't had any luck looking it up on the internets.

    Thanks,
    • Zeno 


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    Zeno Wood
    Brooklyn, NY
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  • 2.  RE: Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-10-2019 10:57
    It seems fine, doesn't seem to cause any problems, at least in the short term (I wouldn't leave it for months and years, but I did test it myself on a bass string, leaving it for a couple weeks, and saw zero impact). 

    It is listed in our Protocol as acceptable. BTW, I noticed when going for that link that it has been downloaded 859 times, so I guess it has proved useful.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "When I smell a flower, I don't think about how it was cultivated. I like to listen to music the same way." Mompou






  • 3.  RE: Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-10-2019 11:08
    Thanks Fred, good to know.

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    Zeno Wood
    Brooklyn, NY
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  • 4.  RE: Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-10-2019 11:22
    My experience is consistent with Fred's.

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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  • 5.  RE: Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2019 08:44
    Please excuse my ignorance but what precisely is blu tack, and what usage would it have on a piano?

    Edit:  Okay, I just looked it up...basically silly putty with a little more stick to it.  So is the issue whether it might damage the finish or something like that?

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 6.  RE: Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2019 08:56
    Here is California, it is used to provide a measure of security for items on shelves or mantles in the event of an earthquake. In pianos, many are fond of the sound made when the hammer hits a string muted by the stuff.

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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  • 7.  RE: Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2019 10:17
    There are other brands of the same stuff, including Scotch Removable Mounting Putty, and something under the Duck brand. Comes in sticks. You pull off a wad, massage/knead it a bit, and use it to put up posters on your wall. This should be removable without harming the wall (good for renters), but if you leave it on for a year or more, it might well pull off some paint.

    Anyway, it does work to create a muted sound for strings, for those who do prepared piano, and doesn't harm them in the short term. It also adds mass, and lowers the pitch while on the strings - but mostly that's their problem :-)
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Casteneda






  • 8.  RE: Blu Tack

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2019 22:41
    I see.  Who'd a thunk?

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------