[Harp-L] Fire Breath and Pure Harps

[Bobbie Giordano <bogio@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ola, 'L-ers!

I really should be packing all my sharp objects and liquids, but I just 
thought I ought to take a short break and pass this on...

On the German list, HarpChat, Steve Baker recently commented regarding 
the Fire Breath harp he just acquired, and became concerned when he 
apparently had a very adverse reaction, presumedly to the Rosewood comb 
[but, as we know, it might just as easily be the sealing finish 
applied.]  Anyway, as he put it, he wondered if he was getting an asthma 
attack due to difficulty breathing.

He also wrote of having spent some time recently with William Galison at 
the Asian Pacific Harmonica Festival.  It seems William told Steve about 
having once gotten a rosewood-combed chromatic from somewhere; didn't say 
where, and I only know of one, maybe two, places he might have obtained 
one.  William related having loved playing it, but then, after some time, 
he began developing a severe breathing malady and was told, I 'gather' by 
a Doctor, [I have to BabelFish the German, sorry!] that he evidently was 
experiencing an allergic reaction to the rosewood.  William quit playing 
harmonica for a time because of it.  I seem to recall hearing about this 
awhile back, too, [also from William, I think,] but just that he had to 
quit playing for awhile due to illness, but not what sort.

Rosewood is not one of the friendlier woods to be sucking on, it seems, 
because some people develop a sensitivity to it over time, and outbreaks 
can be breathing difficulties or painful rashes.  Usually, though, it 
comes from extended exposure to rosewood dust, as for woodworkers or 
people who lay rosewood flooring.  I was wanting one of the new Suzuki 
harps, and hopefully, the comb's sealing substance guards against any 
dangers, but maybe I'll just wait awhile, or at least, not play it every 
waking hour every day if I do pick one up at SPAH!

There are sites on the Net about this problem, too.  I just thought some 
of us here might want to be aware of the possible problems with the 
rosewood-bodied harmonicas.

Cheers!  [... back to Packing!!!]

Bobbie