Re: [Harp-L] Harp Soaking

[JohnnieHarp <johnnieharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

> Elizabeth says:
> I have "The Harmonica According to Charlie Musselwhite",
> Copyright 1982, Centerstream Publishing, Fullerton, CA. There is
> no ISBN number....

Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth ...

> Harri says:
> Wetting, not soaking, makes harps play better. And water, not
> whisky. This works as well with plastic combs. But to each his
> own. If you are happy with a dry harp, play on!

Thanks, Harry.

I do find that my harps that have been thoroughly embossed and
suitably gapped, are super sensitive; even when dry and unplayed. I
may flush under running water if a reed is sticking. If the problems
continues, I dissassemble and thoroughly clean. I usually don't find
any discernable particulate matter inside but with the tight
tolerances from embossing, guess it doesn't take much to impair reed
action. Poorly setup harps do benefit from moisturizing, especially
holes 1, 2 and 3.

There seems to be a surprisingly wide variety of preferences and
strong opinions amongst good harp players with respect to their
preferred models, the need for customization and the extent of that
customization.

Gussow plays them OTB, Ricci likes them highly customized and very
sensitive. Players I've communicated with have expressed varying
opinions over which customizers work seems to suit them best.