BreezeCC
6 posts
Feb 07, 2014
11:13 AM
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I have read some conflicting web info on this, so I'll put it out to the forum and hopefully get a more conclusive answer.
RE; the sealed combs on new Marine Band 1896 and Deluxe models
Is the Hohner factory seal limited to the comb's surface, or is it present throughout the wood?
If you take these harps apart and flat sand the stock combs, are you losing the seal and thereby sacrificing the combs ability to resist swelling?
While I am at it, I guess I should ask the same question about other Hohner wood combs like the MS Blues Harp.
Thanks.
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smwoerner
236 posts
Feb 07, 2014
11:28 AM
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I tend to just automatically seal the Hohner combs. However, I have played around with some of the new sealed combs where I just sanded them and put them back together without sealing them and did not have any swelling issues.
My thought on this is that if you're sanding the top and bottom of the comb to make it air tight you've also made it water tight and thus no need to seal a mating surface. If you do seal the comb you still have to sand it afterwards to remove the imperfections from the sealant material.
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Purveyor of Optimized New and Refurbished Harmonicas.
scott@scottwoerner.com
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arzajac
1281 posts
Feb 07, 2014
12:07 PM
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Yes, the seal is only limited to the surface. So when you sand it off, it's gone. The problem is the sealed combs from the factory can be pretty leaky.
If you want to impregnate the wood with a sealant, the options that I know of are butcher block oil (stinks for years!), dipping it in melted beeswax (yucky, attracts debris, hard to do properly - think third degree burns) and soaking the comb in mineral oil for an extended period of time until it sinks to the bottom (not sure how practical this is or how good the end-result is.)
You can seal a flat-sanded comb with varnish - I massage several coats of varnish in with my finger. But it's too much work to be practical. I don't do that anymore.
Nothing is like an unsealed flat Pearwood comb. The new Hohner combs are sealed everywhere, so you can sand off the seal on the reed plate surfaces making it very airtight and still keep the varnish on the inside of the tines. But water has a way of getting in there. It may last a year or two or it may only last a week. It depends on how much the wood wants to warp. But the first time you put it to your mouth, you'll notice the difference...
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Feb 07, 2014 12:24 PM
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arzajac
1282 posts
Feb 07, 2014
12:07 PM
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Double post? My apologies...
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Feb 07, 2014 12:25 PM
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Kingley
3447 posts
Feb 07, 2014
12:36 PM
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Mineral oil is pretty good. I don't soak mine heavily in it though. I tend to just brush it on. I don't have any major comb swelling issues with it, or find any real smell or taste from it. I used to use beeswax and then I tried varnish, neither of those options were as good as mineral oil in my experience.
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WinslowYerxa
496 posts
Feb 07, 2014
3:09 PM
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MS Blues Harp combs are doussie wood, which tends not to swell with moisture and thus doesn't need sealing.
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Winslow
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jiceblues
276 posts
Feb 08, 2014
3:33 AM
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I aggree with Winslow , MS Blues Harp combs don't swell .
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HarveyHarp
570 posts
Feb 08, 2014
5:44 AM
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Here is what I do. I bought a product caller Howard Butcher Block conditioner from Home Depot. It is made of "Food Grade Mineral Oil stabilized with Vitamin E, Beeswax and carnuba oil. I have used the same bottle for about 3 years now, and it is still half full. I squirt a little in a little tin cup that has a class lid. I heat it up with a hair drier until it is nice and hot and liquid and brush it on the comb, all over, with a little acid brush. I set it aside and let it dry. Then, I take the hair dryer and heat the comb with it, and it continues to soak in. When it is all cocl, I wipe any residue off with a paper towel. It doesn't take much, and I just cover the cup and heat it up next time I use it.
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HarveyHarp
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Slimharp
184 posts
Feb 08, 2014
8:25 AM
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Harvey, that sounds like a good technique. I have found that after taking the Crossover and MBD apart they are not fully sealed. Not talking about the entire comb not having a sealer. When held to the light I see little dabs of some material on the reed plate sides of the comb near the top. Sometimes it is not there at all. Looks like a quick attempt on the production line to make the harp air tight. I use a very light coat of Carmex painted on with a Q tip. Works great and they ARE air tight. Makes a very noticeable difference.
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BreezeCC
7 posts
Feb 09, 2014
10:38 PM
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Thanks all. Good info.
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BreezeCC
8 posts
Feb 20, 2014
1:20 PM
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Scott, thanks. What do you seal with? Do you do so before or after sanding?
Andrew, thanks. Checked out your site. Good stuff.
Kingley & HarveyHarp, with your methods, do you need to re-sand again after applying?
Winslow, wow, I've been reading your harp wisdom online in one form or another for nearly 20 years. Thanks for chiming in ... just so I could say hello.
All, thanks for the insight. I'm learning.I know there are pro techs on this forum and I was not expecting everyone to be willing to share their techniques. It's appreciated.
I am just a long time player of stock Hohners who is finally trying to learn a bit, if only to get a little more life and playability out of my harps. I doubt I will be tuning or gapping any time soon, but even I can sand wood.
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Littoral
1036 posts
Feb 21, 2014
7:07 AM
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@BreezeCC "I am just a long time player of stock Hohners who is finally trying to learn a bit, if only to get a little more life and playability out of my harps. I doubt I will be tuning or gapping any time soon, but even I can sand wood."
Gapping, in particular, isn't really difficult and really helpful. Tuning takes a bit of practice but also essential -as I'm sure your old harps will attest. This thread is current and most applicable to you:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5463450.htm
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Kingley
3474 posts
Feb 21, 2014
7:16 AM
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I don't re-sand the combs after sealing with mineral oil.
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smwoerner
240 posts
Feb 21, 2014
7:34 AM
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@BreezeCC - I use a minwax polyurethane sealant. For some older combs I may thin it with mineral spirits for the first coat. I drop them in let them soak for a few minutes and then wipe them down and let them dry. I usually lightly wet sand them before use just to smooth out any bumps for the finish.
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Purveyor of Optimized New and Refurbished Harmonicas.
scott@scottwoerner.com
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