Re: [Harp-L] Soaking harps

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Steel parts that can rust will rust more quickly the more you expose
them to moisture. This includes the mild steel rivets used to attach
the reeds to the reedplates and may include the covers - check the
underside for rust blossoms forming.

If you feel that soaking has merit, you might dab each rivet with a
protective coat of something that dries to a non-toxic finish, possibly

nail varnish or other plastic-based paintable substance (careful not to
let it clog the reed slot) and maybe coat the underside of the covers
in a similar fashion.

Additional parts on chromatics that can rust include the spring post on
270-style instruments and may extend to springs.

Winslow

--- Steve Shaw <moorcot@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> >>Why does a harp play more responsively for a few minutes after you
> run it
> >>under the tap?
> >>I mainly use non-wood combs, so I'm really only interested in what
> effect
> >>soaking has on the reeds.
> 
> >>Ken
> 
> >Because you've washed the gunk (AKA dried saliva) out of it.
> 
> >Dave Payne Sr.
> 
> Dave is correct.  For many years I've washed my plastic-bodied
> non-valved 
> harps under a lively stream of tepid water thoroughly after every
> session 
> and shaken/tapped out the excess.  I then leave them out to dry all
> night 
> before putting them away.  They sound brighter and are more
> responsive as a 
> result.  No gunk accumulates in the holes (and I drink copious beer
> whilst 
> playing - it's free).  I can't think of any way in which this
> treatment 
> would reduce the longevity of harps.  You hear a lot of advice
> warning that 
> you shouldn't do this but I feel that this falls into the category of
> 
> handed-down received wisdom.   Even wood-combed Hohner MS harps don't
> seem 
> to suffer from a quick wash-out.  My harps never give me cold sores
> or sore 
> throats either.
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
> http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
> HEAR my CD clips: http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm
> 
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