I use vodka. I would use pure alcohol but you can't by it in PA. I recall Jason used pure alcohol. This is the drinking stuff not the rubbing kind. ---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
A plastic combed harp can be thrown into an ultrasonic cleaner and that may accomplish 90 per cent of the job very easily. A wooden combed one can be disassembled.
For routine cleaning when I'm out and about I use Craft Picks, these wooden sticks that look like toothpicks only heavier. (You can get them at craft stores) I only use them to clean the outside and the hole areas before the reeds though, but I can get crud off the covers and out of the outer parts of the holes just by using them as little scrappers. You can get a bag of hundreds for about a dollar. The key is they are softer than the metal and plastic so they don't scratch things but harder than the built up gunk.
You can also get a polishing cloth. Seydel has one for sale on their site, but you may be able to get one at a local jewelry store (again, just a couple bucks). You just have to make sure to ask for one without polishing agent in it. You don't want one impregnated with silver polish since you'll be putting your mouth on it.
I thought I read in a few places across the interwebs that isopropyl alchohol using a soft tooth brush or shop cloth was good & non toxic. That cloth idea is great for shining up cover so they look new.
Im starting at looking at these options, I have some harmonicas from 2-3 yrs ago I haven't blown out somehow but do need to be cleaned!
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Steven Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
I wouldn't worry about discoloration. Maybe I am in the minority, but unless totally necessary, I don't mind the oxidization, etc. I only worry about cleaning off gunk.
I've found that a good soak via Ultra Sonic Cleaner or denture tablets, or just warm water (a pinch of soap) is usually good for non-wood items.
I then often use a toothbrush and a VERY small amount of toothpaste to freshen it up.
I also like to use mouthpiece spray from the band store to wipe off the outside, etc. It is mint flavored.
With my personal harps, I rarely take them apart to clean...only when there is a lot of lip crud, which I guess I don't have a lot of. I try to keep them clean and not let things build up.
If it is an older harp, the oxidization makes them look 30yrs old, but no biggie. I usually only clean them disassembled when I am retuning... ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
This is my standard way to really clean an old harp--it can bring them back from the graveyard--it even brightens up harps that are sounding pretty good--I do it whenever I get the time--and I use this method before I send a harp out to a customer. . .
I've heard that soaking your reedplates in ketchup will make them like new, anyone tried it? I haven't done the Kaboom thing for a very long while, soap and water is good enough 99% of the time.
Tommy, yeah, that's the one. It's good for getting the covers looking nice, although sometimes you have to use the craft picks to get the dried on stuff off, but if you wipe your harps down before you put them away most of that won't build up anyway. I've got to get a new one; I seem to have misplaced mine.
Nate, I may be a little anal about this. lol I play and wipe. I play a little, wipe a little and play again. I tap, wipe with my shirt and on and on. Then as soon as I'm done I give the final taps and use the cloth. I have a cloth at home and one I keep in my pocket. ---------- Tommy
