silverharp88
9 posts
Jul 08, 2013
1:43 PM
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So I wanted some opinions on cleaning harmonicas. I have two Silvertone Deluxe harps in the keys of C & G and I've been playing them non stop. I wanted your guys thoughts on weather or not to clean them.
Should you clean your harps even if the reeds are not stuck? What are the theories on this subject.
how many of you clean your haps and how many don't.
I'm a beginner. so I've never cleaned them before.
The main reason I ask is because I was playing my c harp today and the 5 hole draw got stuck until I blew in it just right and got the reed unstuck.
The idea of taking them apart scares me. I don't want to break em or have to retune em because I don't know how.
also I have a Bass I've had for like 4 years and I've never had to clean or change the strings on it and it still sounds great.
Harps just seem more delicate and complicated.
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Reed Triller
135 posts
Jul 08, 2013
1:55 PM
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Check out Jason Riccis harp cleaning video. I tend to do it that way. Besides, it's Mongoose free!
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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Reed Triller
136 posts
Jul 08, 2013
2:00 PM
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Cleaning them is not just for stuck reeds. It is general good hygiene.After a while bacteria could grow inside and turn to mold. Often even when you don't think there is food in your mouth your harps insides will tell you another story when you open it up and see chunks in there. Be careful but not scared. AFter a while you will come to find the reeds are not as wimpy as you think. Just make sure when you clean them to clean from the reed rivet side to the reed end but not back the other direction so you don't being the reed back. Sometimes even a side to side motion is ok within reason. Fortunately if you do make a mistake your harps are among the most affordable out there. So, if you break something it is easier to just buy another one if you have to.
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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snakes
702 posts
Jul 08, 2013
3:55 PM
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If you look in my gig case with my harps is a tooth brush. It helps to prolong the need for cleaning if you brush your teeth before playing. Stay away from sodas or beer as well (stick with bourbon - LOL!). ;-)
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snakes in Seattle
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FMWoodeye
728 posts
Jul 08, 2013
4:23 PM
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@Snakes....yeah, I keep a toofbrush in my case, too. I always brush my teeth before playing and don't eat at gigs.
As far as cleaning, for Special 20s and any non-wood-comb harp, I remove the covers, drop the harp(s) into a tall glass of water and then drop in a couple denture cleaner tablets and let sit overnight. For wood combs I remove the reed plates and do the same. I did a bamboo-laminate-comb once with no apparent problems, but I removed the reed plates from them after that. Didn't want to press my luck.
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nacoran
6914 posts
Jul 08, 2013
9:37 PM
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There are three theories- clean gently and often, clean aggressively and often and 'hey, they are my germs anyway, and the gunk makes the harp more airtight (which actually seems to do). I clean the holes in my harps with a craft pick (it's a heavy duty toothpick that you can get a couple hundred of for a couple bucks at a craft store.) I also have a sonic cleaner, which is really good for anything but wood combs. It gets a lot of gunk out gently. I add some listerine if it's something someone else has laid lips on. I shy away from toothbrushes anywhere near the reeds. It's too easy to snag. Instead I use a craft pick and just scrape the nasty stuff loose and wipe it off with a micro-fiber cloth. Seydel has a nice little cloth that does wonders on covers as long as you wipe them down before stuff dries.
I consciously try to ignore the gunk though. It's easy to get OCD about it, particularly if you have OCD like me!
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Nate
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arnenym
164 posts
Jul 09, 2013
12:38 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOlcxZrdCTQ
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silverharp88
10 posts
Jul 10, 2013
9:24 AM
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FMWoodeye Do you just take the cover plates off before you drop it in or do you completely take the harp apart?
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jbear
19 posts
Jul 10, 2013
9:49 AM
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Lol, I thought I was the only one with a toothbrush in my case! This apparently is normal (for cleaning the harps with, that is - brushing your teeth before a gig I'm not so sure about...)
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snakes
703 posts
Jul 10, 2013
12:18 PM
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Yes, my toothbrush is for me and not the harps. Also, I play Firebreaths and they have a wood comb so a Sonic cleaner isn't an option.
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snakes in Snohomish
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FMWoodeye
732 posts
Jul 10, 2013
12:51 PM
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@silverharp...I just take the cover plates off then drop the whole harp(s)in and let them sit overnight. Bona-fide.
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silverharp88
11 posts
Jul 10, 2013
2:08 PM
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Sounds like it would be a lot easier to do it that way.
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FMWoodeye
734 posts
Jul 10, 2013
7:33 PM
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It is easy. As I say, I don't do it with wood combs. I try to avoid the flavored tablets, but sometimes my wonderful wife buys the mint flavored ones. The thought of a mint flavored wood comb...well, it's just not right.
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silverharp88
13 posts
Jul 10, 2013
9:34 PM
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sounds like it might be kind of tasty to me
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