[Harp-L] Curious about how the group feel about buying used harps and cleanliness

[Larry Youmans]

Dee, I have purchased a few used ones and I routinely disassemble, clean thoroughly, modify a little, adjust reeds, sterilize with alcohol, rinse and reassemble then tune.  Ultrasonic cleaning is used occasionally, realizing it will not sterilize.  Additionally germs won't survive more than eight hours but viruses can.  Buy, thoroughly clean, tune, enjoy.

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 3, 2017, at 5:29 PM, <flyingv8 at xxxxx> <flyingv8 at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> I have seen harmonicas listed on E-Bay that claim they have been sterilized. I asked one seller about this and his response was as follows.
> 
> "The harmonica is spray-saturated (outside and inside) with 91% isopropyl alcohol.
> This is an effective dis-infective and by its chemical properties then totally evaporates.
> It must be 91%, anything lower does not dry as well.
> The harmonica is then thoroughly rinsed in clear running water and allowed to then fully air dry.
> I do my personal harmonicas this way as well. I was taught this method by an instrument builder."
> 
> I have also seen listings for Marine band harps that are nailed together and the seller states that it sounds great. Personally I would never put a harp to my mouth that came in an open package without cleaning it thoroughly. By that I mean taking it apart and scrubbing it and putting it in my ultrasonic for 15 minutes or so. I take this even further with valved harps simply because of the impossibility of cleaning under the valves. How do you folks feel about this? I am not a germophobe but it just makes sense to me to be very conscientious about drawing air into my lungs through a used harmonica.
> Dee Makowski
> Dee's Finley Tuned Instruments LLC
> www.deesfti.com