Saturday 1 August 2009

How To Clean Cymbals

By Amy Nutt

Are you looking for information on how to clean your cymbals without necessarily making them rust? Are you wondering what solutions to use in cleaning the grime off the cymbals? Then you should read this article. Drummers have different tastes and this is the reason you often find some cymbals looking new and shiny while others look old and used.

These all depend on the choice of the drummers. Some drummers like the cymbal looking used and grimy thus giving the impression that it is often frequently used while others hate to see the cymbals dirty and grimy. The look of a new cymbal often excites people like this and gets them itching for the sticks. The truth is that whether cleaned or not, cymbals give off the same sound although some drummers say when it is not clean, and use over a certain period, it give off a "warm" sound.

Apart from this, some drummers worry that their cymbals will have problems being cleaned. Clean cymbals may sometimes give off better sound. But dirt on some kinds of cymbals are known to help reduce their brash sounds. Each drummer really has his preferences. But, if you do not belong to the group of people who feel that dirty cymbals are the "thing", then here's how to clean the cymbal using different methods:

1. Clean with gentle soaps. Most gentle soaps are far better at cleaning the cymbal than more potent solutions. However, the soaps aren't just enough to clean the cymbals and it isn't advisable to use just about any clean cloth. Cymbal cleaners are preferably the best because of their ability to add some shine to the cymbal making it look new in the process. Cymbal cleaners are easily available at any drums or music equipment shop.

2. Avoid cleaning with water as cymbals made of copper tend to turn green when water is consistently used to clean them. Besides water takes off the shine leaving it exposed to rust and corrosion.

3. A combination of vinegar and lemon can help get rid of all the tar. Lemon has always been known as an astringent and has a lot of cleaning ability. To do this, divide a lemon into 2, squeeze one half onto whole surface of the cymbal and use the other to rub the lemon around. If you have a pot cleaner, apply this and rub on the lemon. This will bring out the shine. You can do this for the 2 surfaces. Then apply the vinegar. If you want to keep the label of the cymbal, avoid applying the vinegar to the point and wash off with warm water. Do not leave to air dry. Dry them properly with cotton materials.

4. If you do not like any of these, why not buy the cymbal brand's cream or liquid. These were produced specifically for the cymbals and work like magic all the time, leaving them clean and looking new. The only downside to this is that it could be a bit pricey.

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