Pianotech

  • 1.  Schaff Soundboard Sweeper

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-19-2024 22:19

    I recently came across the Soundboard Sweeper that is sold by Schaff for $74. (product #6030) Seems pretty expensive for a flexible piece of plastic with a soft sleeve over the top. I've been using the leather soundboard cleaner that is sold by the Dulcimer Guy: Leather Dulcimer Duster - The Dulcimer guy it's $35 and he also sells the useful "Dandy Dulcimer Duster which is an extra-long natural bristle brush that gets places other brushes wont. Dandy Dulcimer Duster - The Dulcimer guy

    I combine this with the cleaning tools sold by Supply 88 and I can clean soundboard/plate areas fairly efficiently. 

    However, I also am aware that you get what you pay for, so maybe the $74 Soundboard Sweeper has some extra good qualities that make it worth the extra expense. 

    I'm wondering if anyone has tried it and can give it a review. 



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    Ryan Sowers RPT
    Olympia WA
    (360) 480-5648
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  • 2.  RE: Schaff Soundboard Sweeper

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-20-2024 13:59

    I use the soundboard sweeper. It works well enough, but has trouble getting the extreme treble section due to being too wide. Most of the time I have to leave that area as is, or blow it out.

    Before using that, I used the Spurlock design that's now sold by Supply88. In my opinion, it worked better and was much easier to use, but the heads were constantly breaking off. I gave up on it shortly after starting to use it. I'm curious to see if the 3D printed versions stay together any better.

    Those are the only two soundboard cleaners I've used. I'm curious to know what others' experiences are, and if there are any other tools out there that work better. 



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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com
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  • 3.  RE: Schaff Soundboard Sweeper

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-20-2024 17:49

    I've always used the spring-steel tool. Schaff calls it a Soundboard Steel. Item #934. $5.95. Long. Flexible. Drop a rag onto the soundboard and use the spring steel to push it around. Funny thing about this tool is up until recently I thought it was the same tool you might pick up in an auto parts store for opening up car doors when you locked the keys inside. It's not. 



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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 4.  RE: Schaff Soundboard Sweeper

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-20-2024 20:38

    My tool of choice for soundboard cleaning is a graining flogger:

    https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/handover-flogging-brush-with-metal-ferrule-5-5-in-bristle-2-in?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwps-zBhAiEiwALwsVYWmMwQZuuxydvucP6CfIH5N2F7GWbwy8txLqQY3HiZK_KYhtVjwTOhoCir4QAvD_BwE

    Bristles are almost 6" long...easily gets between the strings and down to the board. Used in conjunction with a good strong vac...makes quick and fun work of it. I made a small modification to offset the handle for easier maneuverability.  Been using it for decades.

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Schaff Soundboard Sweeper

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-22-2024 18:17

    I use rags and pieces of vinyl that fell into our yard, new windows. They are perfect in stiffness and flexibiliy, smooth edges that don't scratch.

    Years, and I mean years, ago one of our prominent members touted medium-gauge plastic knitting needles for this, and he was excited to have found some, since it was that period when knitting was not popular. Now that it is popular again, I have been telling people, customers sometimes, about this, but I will stop. I was in a thrift store where there was a good selection of them, and I tested them. The medium gauge ones were too stiff, and smaller ones not strong enough to push a rag around.



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    Cindy Strehlow, RPT
    Urbana, IL
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Schaff Soundboard Sweeper

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-22-2024 23:15

    Spring steel soundboard sweeper sleeve.


    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Schaff Soundboard Sweeper

    Posted 06-23-2024 11:01
      |   view attached

    I have been using the soundboard sweeper for several years now.  I really like it.  I will use it to initially sweep out all the dust under the soundboard and then use it in the plate sound "holes" to get at the in between spots.  Then I will take a dusting type rag of thin material and stick it under the strings using one of the tools I got from supply 88.  I bought their cleaning kit at convention last year and decided to start upselling that as a part of my service.  I think I have made about $2000 since last July cleaning every grand piano that I tune.  For a total investment of $300 between the vacuum cleaner and accessories, I figure that is a good ROI.  It takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to detail clean under the strings and get the soundboard looking as good as possible.



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    Patrick Greene
    OWNER
    Knoxville TN
    (865) 384-6582
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