A few weeks ago I bought a bamboo Native American flute. Thing is, the bamboo was burned to give it color and visual texture. Unfortunately, as I am sure many of you know, it also smells a bit burned. I love the sound, but my wife especially is not fond of the fragrance. I would greatly appreciate any wisdom or suggestions for treating it? Thanks to all.
They stink, don’t they?
May I suggest that you start smoking. A nice black tobacco would be best. It will cover up any smell of burned bamboo. Smoking will also give your wife something new to complain about, and thus, keep the marriage fresh.
Or you give the instrument a nice light sanding (You will have to sand it due to the waxy coating that is natural to bamboo)and give it a good coat of some spray on finish. Polyurethane should do it.
Good luck with this one! The holes in bamboo are generally burned in, so its not a matter of refinishing the surface of the instrument. And its dangerous to be messin’ with the holes to get the char out because the tuning will get messed up.
Perhaps Eric who works with bamboo has a suggestion for this one.
Ronaldo