HawkeyeKane
1209 posts
Sep 20, 2012
10:33 AM
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For any of you who use harp cases with trays, I have a poser for you.
When you place your harps in the trays, how do you orient them? I place mine with their backs down, holes up, and packed tightly against each other. But I'm wondering if I ought to be putting them in holes down. That way, any residual spit would drain downward rather than be retained in the comb.
Thoughts?
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Hawkeye Kane
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Gig74
130 posts
Sep 20, 2012
11:09 AM
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I'm a holes up guy, myself. My thinking that it allows more air to circulate, hence drying them better. Also I like the way it looks : o )
Cheers
Greg.
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BigBlindRay
178 posts
Sep 20, 2012
12:25 PM
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Howdy.
I place my harps vertically. Harps are oriented into vertical files from right to left and arranged out in the order of the Cycle of 5ths/4ths for quick referencing.
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HarpNinja
2679 posts
Sep 20, 2012
12:39 PM
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I do the same as Ray. If I use a horizontal case, which I do sometimes use (Hohner black one), I put them in face down.
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robbert
134 posts
Sep 20, 2012
1:50 PM
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Finish playing, tap, wipe, replace backside up.
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SuperBee
605 posts
Sep 20, 2012
2:04 PM
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Holes up. More to do with stability than anything else I suspect, I didn't give it any thought.
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eharp
1986 posts
Sep 20, 2012
2:41 PM
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i've always thought that if you got that much to drain out of a harp, you are playin' waaaay too wet!
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nacoran
6107 posts
Sep 20, 2012
6:23 PM
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I always put them in face up. I figure that will be the most slobbery part and it should air out.
I don't think it matters much for most harps, but low tuned harps shouldn't be stored vertically. The lower reeds with weights on them can become misaligned otherwise.
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Nate
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clyde
285 posts
Sep 20, 2012
7:22 PM
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Nate
I have often wondered about that. Has that happened to you? I don' know anyone who has had that problem for sure.
Clyde
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MakaInOz
73 posts
Sep 20, 2012
8:52 PM
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I use LOs into an MF harpcase with trays, so 'holes up' so I can see what key. They're in order from LoF through Eb (I think) in the top tray and the rest of the 13 keys to F# in the lower tray.
I have a tray on the mic stand that I put the harps I plan to use on prior to the gig and only go back to the harpcase if its something I hadn't anticiapted.
Maka
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FMWoodeye
462 posts
Sep 20, 2012
9:23 PM
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I put the holes down, but then I turn the case upside down.
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electricwitness
61 posts
Sep 20, 2012
10:47 PM
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Harps sit flat holes to the left alphabetical order... Tried holes up but it didn't feel right, just felt better laying them flat...
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nacoran
6109 posts
Sep 21, 2012
8:19 AM
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Clyde, yeah, it happens to my bottom reed on my Low Low F, but I guess that's the lowest reed on the lowest manufactured harp, so maybe it's only an issue for that one reed.
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Nate
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Epworthslim
108 posts
Sep 21, 2012
10:28 AM
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You should not store your harps in a case when not in use, cases are for transporting harmonica's. It is better to leave your harps out of the case when you can to let them air.
but yes if you tend to get them wet then holes down is best to drain.
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wolfkristiansen
126 posts
Sep 21, 2012
10:40 AM
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For gigs and between gig storage-- My harps aren't in trays, they're in shallow cigar boxes with a hinged lid. Each box holds 10 harps, five on the left and five on the right. I throw the boxes they came in away.
I don't have a photo, but here's an image from the web that gives an idea of my storage setup:
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/048/416/288/288416048_213.jpg
For gigs, the box sits on a stand on stage with the lid flipped open. A cheat sheet with the circle of fifths is glued to the inside of the box lid for quick reference if needed.
The harp holes are neither up nor down; they face the side of the box opposite the cigar box hinge. (I.e. the harps lie flat with the top cover plate up). The key is painted on the top cover plate in a large enough size to read it quickly in near darkness. That's probably the main reason I keep my harps like this-- to instantly discern the key in sometimes difficult onstage lighting.
Stored like this, each harp is in the position it needs to be (holes facing mouth, low notes to the left) as it gets picked up at the start of each song.
At the end of a gig, the box gets closed and put into my gig bag, where it sits until next needed, probably for the next gig. (I hardly ever practice). This has worked for me for over three decades.
Spit's not been an issue with me, so I've not had to consider storing them hole side up. I know that for some it is an issue. I remember watching and hearing Carey Bell play his chromatic with Willie Dixon in the 70s. Once in a while he would tilt his harmonica, on stage, and let the spit run out. You could see it from the audience. Wow! I couldn't believe how much he produced while playing.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
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FMWoodeye
463 posts
Sep 21, 2012
12:04 PM
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Harps should...no, MUST be stored in a spider-proof container. It is a scientific fact (thanks, Homer) that spiders seek out harmonica combs to nest and lay eggs. This is why new harps come in shrink wrap. It is disconcerting to be on stage, or anywhere else for that matter, trying to wail on a 4-hole draw and get a throatful of spider eggs. Young spiders are even worse.
If you feel the need for your harps to be in the open air, you should store them in a dark room with a cadre of bats that will eat the spiders before they can nest. This is not a good option for people with long hair as the long hair will divert the bats' attention from the spiders, and the bats will get entangled in the long hair. Long hair is like catnip to bats. It's a scientific fact. If you want to avoid spider colonies in your harps and bats in your hair, you should take up guitar. Spiders hate guitars.
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clyde
286 posts
Sep 21, 2012
12:53 PM
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Nate,
That's good to know. I have several low harps but no LL harps so I guess I'll just take my chances for now. Thanks....
FM,
I had the same thing happen to me......good thing I'm going bald.
Thank's Clyde
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