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| Erhu Skincare | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 06:45 am |
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1st Post |
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AllenZ Approved 
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Hi, does anyone have any tips on help perserving the life of snakeskin? When I used to own a small Japanese Sanshin (Sanxian) I used to use this oil I got to protect the snake skin from drying out. Right now all that I do to protect my Erhu skin is putting a pack of humidity controlling Bamboo Charcoal Pack (another Japanese Traditional Instrument care product) in my hardcase. Attachment: 100012_2.jpg (Downloaded 293 times) Last edited on Fri Mar 7th, 2008 09:49 pm by AllenZ ____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 10:45 am |
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2nd Post |
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Bayun Approved 
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Good question. Especially, bacause I cannot imagine any oil that saturates rawhide and doesn' make it more pliable and prone to stretch and sag. I saw this snake-skin care oil advertised on some Chinese sites, but figured, since Sung Wah ain't selling them, their use and their effects are dubious at best... I am sure he will have more to say on this... The other thing is, oil and hide glue are not very good friends. I have a sinew-backed bow I made in the Native American fashion, and sometimes I carefully oil the wood belly a little, but if oil gets on the hide glue-sinew matrix on the back, that could result in a perfect disaster.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 08:51 pm |
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3rd Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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Strangely enough, the Habu oil (Habu Abura) that I used to use for my Japanese snakeshin instrument was made from a type of poisonous snake. So snake oil for snake skin.... Here's a fact about the Habu snake that might give you a good laugh: "Vitality of the Okinawan habu is legendary. It is able to live one year without eating anything, and its energy is matchless. When it mates, it can go on as long as 26 hours. So it’s no wonder that habu sake is often called Okinawa’s original Viagra." Probably has no relation why they use it from keeping the snakeskin from drying tho'.... LoL Maybe Sung Wah has experience with those Chinese oil you talk about. He does have to manage all those Erhus and Snakeskins in his shop. Attachment: habusake.jpg (Downloaded 284 times) Last edited on Thu Feb 14th, 2008 08:55 pm by AllenZ ____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 10:20 pm |
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4th Post |
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dsouthwood Approved 
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I have used a leather conditioner called Bick 4, made by the Bickmore company. I bought it at a place called the Boot Barn. It is the dressing they recommended for snakeskin and other exotic leathers. It's a cream rather than an oil, and although the directions say to apply liberally, I have used only a very light application from a cloth barely dampened with the conditioner. I worry because the air in San Diego can get very dry in the winter. Here we call it the Santa Ana winds; in the Mediterranean, they call it a sirocco. I checked during one particularly bad one, and the relative humidity at the San Diego airport was 1%. The application of conditioner did seem to mellow the sound of my erhu somewhat, also.
____________________ Music contains all of life. |
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 11:10 pm |
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5th Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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Ummm.... good point about the sound. Maybe the Erhu skin is suppose to be dry to have the traditional sound. If the snakeskin of the Japanese Sanxian (even the dog and cat skin of the Shamisen) is too dry, the sound is too holllow and squeeky, so I guess they want to keep it in a balance state. But those Japanse instruments are high maintenance, since they also use silk strings, which is super sensitive to humidity too. Too dry the string doesn't vibrate good a sound, if there's too much humidity absorbed, the strings sounds weak which Shamisen players call it "The strings catching a cold." Good thing the Erhu is build more to last! LoL But how do you like the mellow sound?
____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 11:53 pm |
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6th Post |
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dsouthwood Approved
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Actually, "mellow" is relative. At first the sound was very, very harsh (although most of that was no doubt my lack of bowing skill), and treating the skin (two or three light applications over many months) helped get rid of much of the harshness. Right now, with the Mudan strings, I am hearing that clear, nasal erhu sound without any harshness and without the squeaks and other noises that other, more expensive, strings gave me. My frustration with the instrument's sound has disappeared, and I am newly inspired. Dennis
____________________ Music contains all of life. |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 01:18 am |
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7th Post |
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may Approved 
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I use a reptile conditioner for my erhu snake skin. Bought it online last year. I believe they use this for reptile boots and bags. I apply very sparingly, and then gently rub it off with very soft cloth. It is non oily, with the consistency of lotion. I tested the conditioner first on my cheapest erhu, and it seemed to work fine. Not only that, the erhu seems to have a smoother and sweeter sound now. So, I used it on my other erhu as well. It's very dry here in L.A. and I've used the conditioner once about 10 months ago, and this month, I applied it again. I hesitate to use is too often because I don' t know the long term effects on the instrument. But in the meantime, I love it!  May
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 01:40 am |
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8th Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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Makes sense, since too much moisture in the skin would collapse it under the weight of the bridge and metal strings. Even the Japanese Poisonous Snake Oil I talked about before recommends that the oil: "Real Snakeskin one application in 2~3 months; Artificial Strengthen Snakeskin one application in 3~4 months..... use sparingly with application cloth." (Rough Translation) Maybe I'll wait for a few more opinions before I decide to order some of this from Japan. Then I'll write some a review on what Habu Oil does to my Erhu snakeskin~ Well, if something bad happens, at least I have an excuse to binge on a better Erhu from Sung Wah~ Thank you to everyone that is willing to share their valuable opinion so far! ^_^ Last edited on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 01:55 am by AllenZ ____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 03:56 am |
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9th Post |
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Clyde Approved 
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Many have told me that they have problems with moisture and humidity and this can have some effect true in different climates. I have worked on a few that have had damages due to the humidity changes, I am careful when travaling aircraft seem to have different altitudes and with that comes the temperature changes for those of you that live in these conditions fallow instructions and guide lines for protection of wood instruments. you can get these instructions at any music store. For skin care use one part fish oil too two parts vitiman oil and apply in a warm solution for proper skin care be careful not to use to much to often this may decrease your volume and tone. God Bless Last edited on Sun Feb 1st, 2009 10:52 pm by Clyde |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 08:20 am |
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10th Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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Thanks Clyde, I'll keep your advice in mind. I personally am used to using Humidity Control products since the other instruments I play are highly sensitive to humidity. Some people might think humidity in a case or a room might not make a big difference but from personal experience, I have to say it does make a huge difference in your instrumental performance. Actually, most of these Humidity Control packs are just natural material that sucks out moisture & neutralize smells from the air inside your case. Most of them are inexpensive and last from 6 months to a year, so I don't see it as big waste of money. To bad a product such as Erhu case layed with paulownia wood does not exist. For centuries Asian countries has used this type of wood as chest & drawers to protect paper materials & fine clothing. The paulowania wood is a breathing wood which absorbs humidity when there's too much in the air, and it breathes out excess humidity when the air is too dry.... its amazing. Anyone use desiccant instead? Attachment: otobukuro.jpg (Downloaded 264 times) Last edited on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 08:30 am by AllenZ ____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 11:35 am |
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11th Post |
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Bayun Approved
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INTERESTING. So far I used tung oil, fish oil and lecithin- or lanolin-lotions only on baseball gloves, straps, belts and similar TANNED leather suff. I would not dare to use much fish oil on rawhide. It makes the toughest dry piece of tanned leather soft as eiderdown. It does wonder, but I am concerned that that much wonder would turn my snake skin into pudding. As for the practical side: Do you apply these stuff on the scaled surface or on the underside? If you use it outside, the conditioner may saturate only among them scales and would get into the skin sporadically. I don't think reptile scales absorb oil and creme too effectively. Much like horn in material. If you use it underside, after a while I reckon it may effect the hide glue that fixes the skin to the soundbox ... My Erhu skin looks like it has never been conditioned. Dry as paper. Now, I am really puzzled as to what to apply and in what extent... (coveted mellowness, here I come) Allen. Is that a plastic spoon in yer mouth or a bat wingbone?
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 06:30 pm |
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12th Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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Bayun, its a plastic spoon. It was a hot day in Florida and it took forever for my ice cream cup to come so that's why I looked pissed.... LoL Is your Erhu skin scaly? My's been sanded down so much it looks like its scale patterns drawn on paper. Hopefully I wasn't ripped off, since my relatives does say they got me a python skin....
____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16th, 2008 05:30 pm |
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13th Post |
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tansungwah Approved 
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I remain inconclusive on this one. I've read lots of conflicting reports on whether to put anything or what to apply on the snakeskin. One of them is saying to put a thin film of lanolin on the snakeskin, once in a very long while. Another advocates not putting anything at all on the snakeskin - because the snakeskin needs to breathe and putting anything that clogs up the pores of the snakeskin would be suffocating. What I usually do is to apply a thin film of olive oil on the skin, but that is only when the snakeskin looks really really dry. Otherwise I would leave them alone. I take out the bridge and dampener and apply the oil and leave them overnight before playing again. I think snakeskins are slightly different from leather where you need to constant nourish them with whatever lotions. But I do fine that the tone improves after you 'moisturized' the snakeskin. Oh and leave the underside of the snakeskin alone. SW
____________________ Online Store: Erhu Pipa Guzheng Liuqin Ruan Sanxian Yangqin Hulusi Dizi Suona Xiao Chinese Music Instruments Blog Follow me on Twitter! |
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17th, 2008 06:49 am |
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14th Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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Thanks Sung Wah, I guess I'll negiotate with the Japanese store and see if I can get them to ship some of that poisonous snake oil for the skin, then I'll give some kind of feedback to everyone on the forum. Strangely, I just noticed it said if you live in the Okinawa prefecture (it's like Japan's humid Hawaii), you don't need the oil. I guess people living in humid places don't need to worry about their Erhu skin drying out. Don't worry, if I screw up my skin, I'll have an excuse to buy a cooler Erhu.... which means its just more business for you Sung Wah. LoL~
____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17th, 2008 09:07 am |
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15th Post |
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tansungwah Approved
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AllenZ wrote: Thanks Sung Wah, I guess I'll negiotate with the Japanese store and see if I can get them to ship some of that poisonous snake oil for the skin, then I'll give some kind of feedback to everyone on the forum. Oh Allenz, the last time I heard, poking holes in your snakeskin improves the sound by leaps and bounds. The bigger the hole the better! Lol..... (Disclaimer: Advice strictly for Allenz only....I bear no responsibility for any Erhus ruined as a result of this posting.) SW
____________________ Online Store: Erhu Pipa Guzheng Liuqin Ruan Sanxian Yangqin Hulusi Dizi Suona Xiao Chinese Music Instruments Blog Follow me on Twitter! |
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17th, 2008 01:43 pm |
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16th Post |
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Den Approved 
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now That made my day !!! I needed a laugh at the moment . Den
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17th, 2008 09:09 pm |
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17th Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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LoL~ But be so happy yet, I think I'll try with the Shamisen Cat Skin or Dog Skin first.... if it sounds better, I might get rich inventing a new kind of Erhu~! (j/k) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IZC0bfaqKU (That's how they stretch Shamisen skin..... kinda similar to the way Bayun stretched his) Attachment: kodawari-kawa3.gif (Downloaded 228 times) Last edited on Sun Feb 17th, 2008 09:20 pm by AllenZ ____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 06:14 am |
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18th Post |
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Shanghai Angels Approved
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Sung Wah..I'm in KL. The climate in Singapore and Malaysia is the same...so does it matter if I leave my erhu as it is?..without any oil? Our weather is not extreme like Russia, Eastern Europe and Africa. Can I assume that my erhu will be fine without adding any oil since I'm in a country where the climate is pretty consistent in temperature and humidity?
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 06:33 am |
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19th Post |
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Bayun Approved
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"kinda similar to the way Bayun stretched his" For the record, I haven't stretched snake skin. I would not dare to undertake such a complex process. Those pics are from a Japanese sight. Just attached them for fun and information... As for olive oil, I used only a few drops to rub the wooden part of my Erhu with olive oil, only to give back the old shine of ebony. I also used a drop on the bridges. Less sticky than linseed oil and would not rot as other plant oils.
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 06:44 am |
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20th Post |
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AllenZ Approved
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Oh I thought you stretched it yourself like that dude in my Youtube clip... my mistake.
____________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. "You're lucky Buddhism teaches freedom from desire, because I've got the desire to kick your ass!" 【温故知新】 「古きを尋ねて、新しきを知る」 |
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