I use a microfiber cloth to remove finger prints from my flutes (Yamaha 581, Pearl 765). However, I bought a new flute recently (Muramatsu DS) and find it very difficult to remove the finger prints. It takes a good 15-20 minutes to do so, and I'm afraid the rubbing will put the keys out of adjustment or otherwise damage the instrument.
Could my new flute have some kind of coating on it that makes it hard to remove finger prints? Or did my other flutes have a coating that made it easier to remove the finger prints? Or maybe it's because it is a new flute and the problem will go away after I've used it a while?
Anyone else experience a similar problem?
Thanks!
Finger prints
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
My only thoughts on this are in regards to the age of the flutes themselves. If your other flutes are a couple of years old, and you mura is really new, that would explain a lot.
As flutes get older, the surface is subjected to thousands of microscopic scratches. That is why over time they seem to lose their high gloss look. Thus, skin oils can hide more easily because they don't show up as well. On new instruments, they havent had the time to become covered by these microscopic abrasions, and therefore still have the high gloss look. As a result, and skin oils whatsoever show up like black ink on a white piece of paper.
This also explains why it seems far more severe when you get scratches on a new flute versus getting scratches on an older flute. They simply cannot hide as well on a flawless surface.
But, if your mura was purchased secondhand, or if your other flutes arent more than a year or two old, then I dont have any ideas. Usually, companies coat their instruments in a finish that protects against tarnish and sometimes helps with the removal of fingerprints.
Either way, it really isnt any more than a cosmetic issue. Because you have the DS model, you wont have any problems with plating.
As flutes get older, the surface is subjected to thousands of microscopic scratches. That is why over time they seem to lose their high gloss look. Thus, skin oils can hide more easily because they don't show up as well. On new instruments, they havent had the time to become covered by these microscopic abrasions, and therefore still have the high gloss look. As a result, and skin oils whatsoever show up like black ink on a white piece of paper.
This also explains why it seems far more severe when you get scratches on a new flute versus getting scratches on an older flute. They simply cannot hide as well on a flawless surface.
But, if your mura was purchased secondhand, or if your other flutes arent more than a year or two old, then I dont have any ideas. Usually, companies coat their instruments in a finish that protects against tarnish and sometimes helps with the removal of fingerprints.
Either way, it really isnt any more than a cosmetic issue. Because you have the DS model, you wont have any problems with plating.
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atoriphile
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:35 pm
- Location: Washington, DC
That could very well be it. I purchased the muramatsu brand new.
However, I also bought the Pearl 765 brand new, but don't recall having any problems removing finger prints. Who knows how long it had been in storage, however (if that even makes a difference).
As you said, it really is a cosmetic issue, so I shouldn't worry too much. I guess I'll just try to remove as many finger prints as possible, then once a month or so give it a more thorough rub down. I just don't want the flute to lose its pristine look.
However, I also bought the Pearl 765 brand new, but don't recall having any problems removing finger prints. Who knows how long it had been in storage, however (if that even makes a difference).
As you said, it really is a cosmetic issue, so I shouldn't worry too much. I guess I'll just try to remove as many finger prints as possible, then once a month or so give it a more thorough rub down. I just don't want the flute to lose its pristine look.