Re: [Harp-L] Cleaning diatonic reed plates

["John Kerkhoven" <solo_danswer@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Not long ago Jason Ricci posted his harp cleaning techniques using alcohol
(91%). You might want to search the archives.

A q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol also works.

You may try also baking soda and warm water. You can use an old (clean)
toothbrush. Be careful of getting the bristles snagged between the reeds and
the slots. You do not have to scrub intensely -- gently is sufficient.

Best, of course, to take the harp apart for this kind of cleaning. You can
get the harp cleaned to some extent by letting it soak in the water with the
baking soda. (I picked this up from the Astatic JT-30 website. Tried it; it
works.) Jason Ricci also says (as I recall) that you can plop your harps in
alcohol when you don't have time to clean them thoroughly.

Happy cleaning,

john



----- Original Message -----
From: "Huffa Puffa" <huffa.puffa@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 4:19 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Cleaning diatonic reed plates


> Greetings All,
> I have picked up a diatonic blues harp [Hohner] after not playing it
> for a while and whoa! does it leave a yucky tang taste in my mouth.
> What can I use to clean up the brass reed plates so they don't leave
> me with that yucky after taste. The plates have that green corrosion
> fuzz stuff on them and what look like water marks, typical stuff I
> think for the inside of harps. Any suggestions?
>
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