RE: [Harp-L] "used" harp/what to do to sanitize?

["Smith, Richard" <rismith@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm no doctor, but there could be all kinds of "nasties" inside
a harmonica that has been previously used (breathed into and 
spit into) by someone else.  For this reason, I don't believe
that alcohol on the outside will be sufficient.  If it were 
a plastic-combed harmonica, I would say you should soak it in 
a mild solution.  However, the Hering Vintage has a wood comb,
and you shouldn't soak a wood-comb harmonica.  That pretty much
loaves only the "disassembly" method.  It's the best method in
any case.  Besides, if you plan to seriously play the harmonica,
you might as well bite the bullet, and get used to taking them
apart, and putting them back together.  My 2 cents.

Richard J. Smith, R.A.
Wormleysburg, PA


-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Bry Thomas
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 11:58 AM
To: Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] "used" harp/what to do to sanitize?


Several replies to my earlier post. Harp comments but nothing re: sanitizing 
a used harp.  A member of another harp list is sending me a "C" Herring 
Vintage.  He says he hasn't played it for months and only a few times and 
not much then.  However, i'd like to be safe.  What should I do to the harp 
before putting it in my mouth?  (a harp condom? Ha!)

A pro harp player said to rub alcohol all over the external surfaces.

Someone else said to completely take the harp apart and clean it that way.  
I don't want to (or know how) to do that.  Especially, since i'm the type 
who can sometimes take things apart, but NEVER gets them reassembled 
properly!

Will the alcohol do it?  I don't know if we have any doctors on this list.

Sincerely,

Bry (Indiana)

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