Author Topic: Brass cleaning (Read 398 times)

ploonter · « **on:** May 21, 2009, 10:23:16 AM »

I was wondering if it's O.K. to remove the brass parts for cleaning or if it is a bad idea to remove and replace them? Any help...

tbrannon · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:39:26 AM »

Here are a couple threads on the subject that you can check out for reference. It's definitely OK to take apart your bridge for cleaning and to give your tailpiece the same treatment.

One suggestion- find a digital camera and snap a few pictures before you start. It's easy to get all apart, but if you don't have a reference, seeing all those little brass parts sitting separate can be scary if you're not sure how they go back together.

Here is a thread about disassembling and cleaning your bridge:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16386.html?1107732526

Here is the source thread for taking care of your instrument

speicky · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:00:32 AM »

I spied post #4 from a Mister Dave Houck in the disassembling thread... had a good laugh. There was a beginning, even for the master of all the moderators of the universe !

once more: thank you for all your work here, Dave !

grmph... sorry for being off-topic, but I've randomly anything to add except my humor...

ploonter · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:30:47 AM »

Thank you tbrannon for the thread...and to all involved after going there.
Man, that logo cleaning looks tricky

tbrannon · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2009, 02:58:25 PM »

Tim,

Below is the link for a thread I started when I was getting ready to clean up the used Rogue I bought. There are a few photos and also a few extra tips from club members there. Hope this helps:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/32442.html?1162176823

terryc · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2009, 01:14:02 AM »

I remove the brass hardware when I am doing a major clean, I don't disassemble the whole bridge but if there is polish residue on the bridge one suggestion is to take it to a jewellers who have a sonic bath, these are excellent in removing the residue that is stuck on the hard to clean parts

gtrguy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2009, 09:27:54 AM »

I have tried all my strippers/thinners etc on the clear on my tailpiece to no avail. I just carefully sanded or steel wooled it off. You can then polish the brass, remove all residue, and then shoot new clear on it's absolutely clean surface if you like. Or you can not re-shoot it and just keep polishing it!

Bye, Dave

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2009, 09:51:50 AM »

I bought a dremel tool and a flex extension for polishing the brass on my instruments. Boy, does it make the job easier!

Bill, tgo

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2009, 07:42:47 PM »

Hee hee; thanks Christian!

jalevinemd · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2009, 02:36:46 PM »

Okay...but how do you remove the bridge itself from the body? Do you simply raise the height adjustment screws until the thing pops off?

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2009, 02:47:22 PM »

Yes, and you will need to go back and forth, one screw and then the other, a little at a time, to keep from binding. You may find it helpful to keep some kind of record of the original height so you can return it to the same height when you're done.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2009, 05:30:58 PM »

Thanks Dave.

mjurey · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2009, 01:49:01 PM »

I used a polishing wheel on my bench grinder and here are the before and after pictures. I took the bridge apart but took measurements first. 98 Epic bridge:

sonicus · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2009, 03:54:51 PM »

Nice, a bridge to be proud of !

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** June 21, 2009, 02:55:33 PM »

Welcome to the board Mark! Nice polishing job!