Thorens - Clean Harps

[BassHarper@xxxxxxx]

Trying to catch up on all the good stuff I missed before signing on: 

I noted several references to Thorens harmonicas in early August.  I have a
few copies of a Thorens flier printed in Switzerland in 1949, which includes
beginner's instructions titled, "It's Easy To Play The Bernie Bray Way."  The
cover has a posed photo of a very young Bernie Bray, and the notation,
"Canada's Harmonica Virtuoso".  It also includes a short bio on Bernie, as
well as a brief description of Thorens:  "Thorens Harmonicas, made in
Switzerland, are the product of a factory unique of its kind in all Europe,
equipped with a research laboratory that boasts of many realizations in the
field of sound reproduction and musical instruments.  Among the various
realizations of the Thorens research laboratory is the recent development of
an exclusive and revolutionary electronic system for tuning harmonicas.  This
great achievement, together with other highly important measures, guarantees
still better quality in an instrument already acknowledged the leader.
 Precision-built by gifted and painstaking Swiss craftsmen, Thorens
electronically tuned harmonicas have a more beautiful tone, a perfect pitch
and are easy to blow".

Another BassHarp Hint:
KEEP YOUR HARMONICAS CLEAN!!

Harmonicas are not exchangeable, refundable, or serviceable by retail stores
due to health regulations.  Once a harmonica has been played by any person or
removed from a store (purchased), it is considered to be used merchandise,
and must be returned to the manufacturer by the purchaser for warranty
service.  The most obvious reason harmonicas are not returnable is the fact
that they are mouthblown instruments, and as such are susceptible to being
carriers of germs.  No matter how clean you keep your toothbrush, it is not
acceptable to pass it around among your friends, let alone send it to a
stranger for repair.  Your harmonica is no different.  

Why not learn to clean and maintain your own instrument, thereby extending
its life, and keeping your cost down?

There are a few people who do accept harmonica repair jobs, such as Dick
Gardner, of Minnesota.  But he, and most others, will not bother with 10 hole
diatonics, rather choosing to work on chromatics, chords and basses, etc.
 Dick is often offended by the condition of the harmonicas he receives for
repair, due to their unsanitary - no, dirty and absolutely filthy -
condition.  This is not just when the cover plates are removed - the outside
of the cover plates and the holes of the combs are sometimes so coated with
dried saliva and who-knows-what (Dick calls them "hockers"), that it is
almost enough to make you gag.  It is not conceivable that anyone, including
the owner, would put something like that in their mouth. 

Since the harmonica is a mouthblown instrument, the very act of playing it
contributes to the deterioration of tone quality, reed pitch and instrument
life (similar to life itself: the slow process of death begins the moment of
birth).  The human breath carries with it many contaminants that build up
residue on the reeds, inside cover plates, and the comb.  Each person's body
chemistry is different, and varying levels of sugar and other chemicals are
present in the saliva.  These contaminants, together with any others that may
be present from eating or drinking, will collect within the harmonica and
solidify on the various components.  Any buildup on the reeds will obviously
cause the pitch to vary.  Since the buildup most often occurs on the free end
of the reeds, the pitch will flatten.  Heavy residue on the reed plates
themselves, as well as the inside surfaces of the cover plates, may cause a
loss of brilliance of tone.  Careful cleaning at regular intervals will
prevent corrosion and help to preserve your harmonica and extend its life.
 Also, from an esthetic point of view, frequent cleaning of the comb cavities
and the outer surfaces of the cover plates, will keep your harp looking
presentable. 

The following suggested cleaning materials are readily available: Isopropyl
(rubbing) alcohol, small spray bottle, lint-free cloth and small round brush
(i.e. electric shaver cleaning brush).  

To begin, spray a light mist of alcohol on both cover plates and wipe clean
with a lint-free cloth.  Assuming you are playing a harmonica that can be
disassembled, carefully remove the cover plates and reed plates from the
comb.  NOTE:  Any time the cover plates are removed, it is of utmost
importance that exposed reeds be handled very carefully, and not disturbed or
snagged.  Also, additional care must be taken when cleaning chromatics and
other harmonicas having valves (wind savers).

Cleaning the reed plates - spray both sides with alcohol and carefully wipe
the plates clean.  On the side of plates having reeds attached, wipe in
parallel direction of reeds, starting at rivet end, being careful to not snag
the free ends or disturb them in any way.

Cleaning the comb - spray with alcohol and use small round brush to clean
holes and chambers.  Then wipe dry with cloth.

Cleaning the cover plates - spray with alcohol and carefully wipe inside and
outside surfaces with cloth.  When all components are completely dry,
reassemble harmonica.  DO NOT play harmonica before all alcohol is dry.
 Inhalation of Isopropyl alcohol fumes is harmful.