Re: [Harp-L] How Do You Clean Your Harmonica?

["Abner Galdos" <cdgaldos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Johnnieharp thank you I got the site and made a copy..... 
abner (Blueyes, clean and simple)
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: JohnnieHarp 
  To: harp-l 
  Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 3:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [Harp-L] How Do You Clean Your Harmonica?


  Depends on what you're trying to clean, how clean you want it, and the comb
  material.

  Brush (and floss) before playing minimizes particles that can cause reed
  sticking. Waterproof combed harps can be submerged in warm water for a few
  minutes, then rinsed under running water, shaken and mouth blown dry. Should
  be done regularly to prevent build ups.

  HOWEVER, nothing beats disassembly and proper cleaning. Any harp held
  together with screws can be quickly taken apart  with practice. Perhaps
  takes 60 to 90 seconds.

  I was searching this in the HarpL archives a while ago and Jason Ricci (when
  he regularly posted here) mentioned how meticulous he is in disassembling
  and cleaning his; after every show if he can. While he didn't say so, the
  playing reason would be that a harmonica set up for overblows is very prone
  to reeds sticking due to the low gapping. So to play like new, they have to
  be cleaned as such.

  When cleaning the reed plates be careful with brushes as they can catch and
  damage the reeds very easily. And if cleaned regularily there is likely no
  need to use a brush. Othe things, if necessary, will work.

  To search the archives go to the top of:

  http://harp-l.org/pipermail/harp-l/

  and use search terms:

  alcohol clean
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