Re: Cleaning Reeds

[rocket@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

At 4:52 PM 3/23/95, Bobbie Giordano wrote:
>In reference to the build-up of dirt or oxidation on the reeds, wouldn't
>the problem that develops be possible corrosion and resulting loss of the
>integrity of the metal, thereby increasing chance of metal fatigue and
>pitch loss?  OTOH, as I found out, too much finagling can cause permanent
>damage--I've hastened a few reeds to flatting out.

It always seemed to me that harmonica reeds are like cars parked down by
the beach(or winter Minnesota cars). The mouth is a caustic environment
with lots of acids for starting the breaking down of food. These acids most
definitely end up inside the harp and probably have an effect on the metal.
And there are a lot of salts as well and when the harp(and the goo) dries,
the combination of the acids and salts cause precipitates on the reeds.

At least that's what it seems like to me.

Rkt