Ahh! I was playing on my new marimba the other day when I had a 2 octave gliss. The head of a cheap fiberglass mallet went flying across the room, leaving me with about 6 keys scratched on the surface. It doesn't look like it's deep at all. There is no indentation in the wood, but it looks really bad. It looks like the fiberglass from the mallet is on the keys. I was wondering if there was anything I could do to make my marimba look like new. I'm afraid of scratch removers or steel wooling/sandpapering the bars in case it makes it look bad (or even worse, change the sound of the bars!) Please let me know what I should do!
Thanks!

Pit-guy..
Well, may I say first, just as a bit of constructive criticism ..never,never use fibrerglass mallets on a wood bar marimba or even a xylophone..or for that matter a fibreglass bar instrument...you will destroy the bars even with normal playing..Fibreglass is much harder than rosewood and will make dents, dents, and more dents until the bars begin to splinter..

It's hard to say exactly what will work without seeing the bars, but I would try 1)--a non-caustic furniture polish/cleaner such as Old English, etc with a cloth...2)--very fine steel wool..."0000" will not damage the bar or the pitch but WILL take off some of the finish. If you try this, you could then spray very quickly and lightly with clear lacquer.. Of course you'll have to use the cheap stuff in hardware stores...or use the furniture polish..none of this is ideal but....maybe...be careful.... if you're unsure. take the bars to a cabinet maker (but don't let him/her use sandpaper)--- OR you may send them to me..

Bill Youhass
Fall Creek Marimbas