joeleebush
291 posts
Jul 16, 2011
10:02 AM
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First...I AM NO HARMONICA MECHANIC. Like ZERO!
However I had some old harps laying in the junk box and decided to fool around with them a little.
Took apart a few diatonics with "slow" reeds and sprayed the entire reedplates with "Elmer's Slide-All" which is used to loosen hinges, make sticking of zippers, locks, almost anything work smoother. (the product is common at a hardware store).
I let it sit and dry completely for about an hour, put it all back together and that thing was like a bullet! Response was wonderful. Those reeds were flying.
Then I pulled out an old chromatic and did the same thing to it. Wind valves were fast as they could be, tone was great, and the speed was up maybe 25% to 30%. Nothing stuck or gummed up...it just wailed like a new one.
This stuff seems far better than silicone spray since it leaves no oily stain and after it dried I could not taste a thing unusual.
Maybe I am just lucky????
Comments appreciated.
Joe Lee Bush
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"A man who will not FORCE himself to rise above his circumstances is doomed to a life of mediocrity"....Ty Cobb
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harpdude61
897 posts
Jul 16, 2011
10:30 AM
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Sounds great, but since you didn't rinse I wonder about inhaling oderless/tasteless fumes or whatever.
Wonderful idea if it is safe.
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Greyowlphotoart
650 posts
Jul 16, 2011
10:49 AM
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Sounds interesting. Think I'll give it 24 hours and see if you're still posting tomorrow.
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hvyj
1551 posts
Jul 16, 2011
11:01 AM
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Interesting. I've often wondered about "lubricating" reeds to improve response, but decided that putting oil on them would be a bad idea and unhygienic. never heard of Slide All before. Interesting idea.
I'd be curious about how the harps are responding a couple of days later and if the Slide All makes dirt or other foreign substances more likely to accumulate on the reeds and plates.
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The7thDave
251 posts
Jul 16, 2011
11:14 AM
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Here's the MSDS.
Note that the health effects are associated with the volatile components--so let it dry thoroughly.
And put out that cigarette while using it!
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--Dave
* BTMFH *
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nacoran
4322 posts
Jul 16, 2011
1:57 PM
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I can figure why the reeds would go faster, but the slide makes sense, in fact, they sell special oil for the valves on trumpets and other brass instruments (which, come to think of it, would be a good product that would have to be inhalation safe). The difference is night and day after you oil the valves.
I have rinsed some plastic harps off in the sink and noticed that until I get the water out of them they are a little more responsive. My guess is the water is improving the seal, essentially temporarily 'embossing' the slots by blocking the flow of air.
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timeistight
94 posts
Jul 16, 2011
2:06 PM
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"I have rinsed some plastic harps off in the sink and noticed that until I get the water out of them they are a little more responsive. My guess is the water is improving the seal, essentially temporarily 'embossing' the slots by blocking the flow of air."
Sure. That's why we used to soak them.
Last Edited by on Jul 16, 2011 4:57 PM
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joeleebush
292 posts
Jul 16, 2011
3:48 PM
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I've used trumpet valve oil on chromatics for years...on the slide. Just put a few drops in both ends and the slide knows who's boss. It has a little taste to it at first but so what...trumpet players and trombone players have been using it since forever. (I know, I know, they have a mouthpiece separating them away from the valves. But with lawyers and "government do-gooders" running wild, I don't think this would have been something they'd overlook.)
This Slide-All appears to be a stone cold mother for the reeds and windsaver valves...I just blasted a 64 with it and its sitting there drying.
I notice that when used on other things, once it dries is when it does its thing...and the parts become very slippery.
We will see, we will see.
Joe Lee
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"A man who will not FORCE himself to rise above his circumstances is doomed to a life of mediocrity"....Ty Cobb
Last Edited by on Jul 16, 2011 3:51 PM
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harpdude61
898 posts
Jul 16, 2011
6:02 PM
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I'm sure anything is fine as long as you blow...no draw notes on a trumpet.
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