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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
harp care in a tropical climate
harp care in a tropical climate
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Calvin
14 posts
Nov 07, 2011
4:41 PM
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Hi all,
In about a month, I'll be moving to a pretty remote atoll in the Marshall Islands. There, I'll be serving as a volunteer English teacher for about a year and a half.
Without the distractions of the internet and other forms of high-tech entertainment, I'm planning on playing the harmonica.... a lot... :-)
The climate in the Marshall Islands is extremely hot and humid. Has anyone had any experience storing/maintaining harps in a tropical climate? Do I have to worry about reeds rusting? How should I store my harps?
Also, I've been thinking about what to take with me... definitely my full set of special 20s (from lo D to hi G), but I've also been thinking about trying out a chromatic. In terms of harps/tools, can you think of anything I should definitely have in my bag? The prospect of having new harps shipped to me from Rockin Rons is doubtful at best, although he's exceeded my expectations before...
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nacoran
4868 posts
Nov 07, 2011
8:47 PM
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Reeds shouldn't rust. Brass and bronze phosphor reeds don't really rust. Under extreme moisture (someone had a pic once of a harp that had been drowned in Katrina) they may turn green, but that green layer will actually protect the harp from further rusting. (Copper, one of the metals in the bronze alloy, is actually used for roofing. It turns a pretty green. They actually have chemicals to speed the process if you don't want to wait for your roof to turn green.) Stainless steel reeds, like in Seydel 1847's, shouldn't, in theory, rust either. Stainless steel won't rust if you leave it alone. If you scratch the surface with a impure metal the smudge of the other metal left behind can rust, and that rust can act as a seed to start the stainless rusting. Breathing in and out of a harmonica gets a lot of moisture in there to start with. I'm guessing it's more than the Marshall Islands will through at it, although it may not get a chance to dry out between playing.
I'd think it might be more of an issue with wooden combed harps, but Special 20's plastic combs will be swell instead of swelling. (Sorry, just came from songwriter's circle. I'm still in phrase turning mode.) As for storing them, I like to store my go to harps in a zippered case, but that's just so I don't inhale a spider or something. :) I might lean away from leather pouches. I carry my harps around in Hohner Piedmont cases. They are about as cheap as other cases and you can give the Piedmont's away to kids.
I don't know enough about the valving in a chromatic to know how they will hold up to long term moisture. Again, I'm guessing you'll be fine. There is at least one model of chromatic that doesn't have valves, but I don't remember which model it is and I don't think it's highly thought of.
What should you have in your bag? Well, if you think you are going to have lots of time on your hands you might want to try one or two alternative tuned harps just for variety (same reason you are getting the chromatic!) You might take a few cheap harps with you just in case any of your English students want to learn some harp too. :)
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Nate
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didjcripey
154 posts
Nov 07, 2011
9:19 PM
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I live in the wet tropics, in the far north of Oz; talk about wet and humid, they don't call it the wet tropics for nothing!
I have had no trouble with any of my harps from humidity, when you think about it, they are getting pretty moist from saliva etc under normal conditions anyway.
All my mics and electronic gear have been fine too; regular use heats them up and dries them out. The only thing is I had a fifty year old crystal mic that was fine when I got it but died a year or two later; I've got a couple of newer crystal elements that so far have been fine.
Never been to the Marshall Islands, but have had many years living in remote places, my experiences have been that as these places rely on the mail or a barge or truck or whatever, that you should be able to get anything you need through the post;(though they don't call me 'Lucky' Lester for nothing), just takes a little time.
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Lucky Lester
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Aussiesucker
941 posts
Nov 07, 2011
9:27 PM
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I live in a sub tropical hot humid climate & only a stones throw from the Pacific Ocean (Coral Sea). I have over the past 5 years not experienced any rusting problem with any harp. Everything & I mean absolutely everything else rusts out before our eyes.
The only problem is on hot humid days the moisture build up in harps becomes more of a problem necessitating the tapping of the harps regularly to remove moisture. I gave up trying to use my chroms as the windsaver valves were always sticking & popping.
Nacorans suggestion re staying with plastic combed harps as excessive moisture will cause swelling particularly in Marine Bands. Also his suggestion to take some alternative tunings is a good idea. The Lee Oskar Natural Minors in G & A (normally C & D but labeled in 2nd pos) & a Lee Oskar Harmonic Minor in either A or G (1st pos label) would be good for variety.
As for storage I don't do anything special. I store my really good harps in the original boxes but keep my practice harps in a Buckeye leather case and 4 leather pocket holsters. I make sure my harps are dry before I put them to bed. I also use alco wipes over the mouthpiece. Leather can be a real problem but providing you regularly access them it is ok. I have had leather shoes & belts that eg I haven't worn for a month only to find that they are covered in green powdery mould.
Some cheap harps for your students could be worthwhile to include in your kit.
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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Calvin
15 posts
Nov 08, 2011
3:35 AM
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Thanks for the advice guys. I have a Lee Oskar A-minor tuned harp, which I don't play too much, but I'll definitely bring it. And good call on bringing some cheap harps for the kids!
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Buzadero
890 posts
Nov 08, 2011
6:48 AM
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If they are plastic-combed, and no valves, you'll have no issues with humidity.
I've taken multiple harps into a saturation diving system with me for weeks at a time. Dense air and humidity. No problems.
I also managed to locate a Special 20 in "A" that had slipped out of my hand and fallen overboard on a sailboat in the Caribbean. Yes, there was alcohol involved. It was on the seabed for at least two days. It was a fluke that I came across it while looking for something else. I had actually forgotten the dropped harp. Brought it to the surface, rinsed it and it was still fine.
Avoid wood combs and you should be fine
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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HarpNinja
1864 posts
Nov 08, 2011
12:21 PM
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You should definitely bring some harp tools...even just a set like the Herring one or something. You will probably need to gap/tune from time to time.
The con being if you break a reed, do you have resources to replace it???
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
VHT Special 6 Mods
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