Re: [Harp-L] Warped comb

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

Put it in a dry, warm place and wait.  The "teeth" (partitions between the 
reed chambers) will most likely return to their original shapes and your 
harp will be fine.   Don't panic and do anything rash like filing/sanding on 
the comb until it has a chance to recover.

IF the reeds are gummed up by the dissolved solids in the beer, you may have 
to take it apart and flush the reedplates with warm water and a mild 
detergent.  I doubt that this will be necessary.  Wood expands when wet but 
will contract again when it dries.

Beer is mostly water and a little alcohol.  Be glad that it wasn't something 
sugary and sticky like a soft drink.

The wooden comb is no stranger to moisture because it gets your moist breath 
when you play it.  It just got a little more than it was accustomed to this 
time.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <venkyr@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <HPOOF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:33 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Warped comb


> To all those in the trade, someone accidentally flooded my harp case with 
> his beer at a gig last night. All my harps were still in their boxes 
> except one- Marine Band with a wooden comb. Minutes later,the teeth 
> started to come out.
>
> What do I do now? Wait till its dry? File it down? Toss it? Buy 
> replacement parts?
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
> Venky
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