Re:How do you clean powder and dirt out of the syahi
Jul 30, 2001 08:58 a.m.
You cannot get the syahi wet, or it will be ruined.
If the powder build-up is not causing any problems in tone (e.g., buzz or dull tone), I would leave it alone. However, if you're getting a buzz or dull tone, then you can use VERY VERY EXTRA SUPERFINE sandpaper and lightly sand the syahi in a circular motion. Just enough to clean it a little, but not so much that you wear the syahi down a lot. Be sure to use the absolutely finest sandpaper possible. It shouldn't even feel like sandpaper to your fingers.
To clean the rest of the tabla head (the skin but not the syahi, that is) to get the sweat and powder off, you can use acetone. I use a fingernail polish remover with acetone in it. It's slow work, but the results are good. Or you can use goat milk, I hear. However, it's hard to get goat milk where I live. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Re:How do you clean powder and dirt out of the syahi
Jul 30, 2001 09:43 a.m.
In my naievty, I actually did use a damp cloth to clean mine once It certainly made them look brand new again, but the cloth ended up a little black (he he). I haven't noticed any negative effects as a result; infact cleaning up all the gunk that had built up on it made quite a difference. I woudn't do it like that again though!
Re:How do you clean powder and dirt out of the syahi
Jul 31, 2001 12:33 a.m.
It is advisable that the syahi be cleaned with a dry course cloth after every use. Do not try to use any damp cloth around the region. Use of sandpaper is advisable only if you do not damage the symmetry of the syahi. Any change to the thickness of the layers may reduce the resonnance.Removing powder from the cracks may result in a buzzing noise.
Re:How do you clean powder and dirt out of the syahi
Aug 12, 2001 04:13 p.m.
I have used pressurized/compressed air duster spray to remove excess powder from the syahi and also from under surface of the peripheral skin layer (chat) and dust and powder from the gajra with good success. Acetone worked well for the rest of the head (avoiding the syahi). Another simple trick that works rally well is to use the edge of a plastic card ( credit card ) and rub on the syahi to remove the excess powder.
Re:How do you clean powder and dirt out of the syahi
Aug 12, 2001 04:16 p.m.
I have used pressurized/compressed air duster spray to remove excess powder from the syahi and also from under surface of the peripheral skin layer (chat) and dust and powder from the gajra with good success. Acetone worked well for the rest of the head (avoiding the syahi). Another simple trick that works rally well is to use the edge of a plastic card ( credit card ) and rub on the syahi to remove the excess powder.
