re: Question

["G." <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<quote>
Date: Thu, 03 Jul 2003 09:58:03 -0400
From: "michael morris" <michael_morris425@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Question

What is the best way to clean my harps? To be honest I have seen this thread
in the past but have always chosen to ignore it.
I had spoken to someone at Hohner a while ago in regards to sending up some
of my old harps to be repaired. The subject came up on cleaning. The advice
given to me was to simply bang the harp on your leg, front and back to get
rid of excess saliva. And that was it.
Several of you had mentioned soaking it in a denture material to help clean
them. Since the harps in question are relatively new, it seems to be time to
try this. Suggestions please.

Mike
</quote>

Hi there Mike,
  What the person @ Hohner said is not a bad habit to get into.

If its ~not~ a nailed wood comb harmonica its worth taking them apart now and
again and giving them a good soaking in hot dishwashing water, then gently brush
off the worst of the gunk with an old toothbrush being very careful to stroke in
the same direction as the reeds and not snag them.

There are cheap jeweller's screwdriver sets for very little $ that will be fine
for disassembly and reassembly.

Your own habits with harmonicas can make a big difference I've written
about this here
http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/maintstart.html
I've written a bunch on cleaning & your health with harmonicas
http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/maintclean.html
It applies to diatonics as much as chromatics.

I found that the denture tablets, while efficient and effective if you are
adverse to disassembling your harmonicas tends to discolour the brass - I have
absolutely no idea if there is any other affect from doing this, but I've
stopped since I now just disassemble and wash, and I spray Isopropyl Alcohol
onto harps which are suspect or belong to other people or are going to be played
by other people.

All the best
G.
http://harmonica.7p.com