rsca415
4 posts
Mar 10, 2014
6:45 PM
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Hi all!
About a year or so ago I heard of people placing small amounts of wax at the base of reeds to stop them from squeeling during overblows etc. One day I had the majority of my harps with me and left them in the car. Next thing you know it was a bloody hot day and all the wax melted through over the reeds of my harmonicas.
About 4-5 still have to be cleaned. I cleaned the other ones with paper and essentially scraping it off each individual reed. This is a longish process, hence why I have been too lazy to fix some of my less common harp keys.
I had the idea that maybe I could place the reed plates into near boiling water, melting the wax right off. Is there any chance that this will damage the reeds/reed plates (I will not play them when they are wet).
Has anyone else had this same problem? Or alternately, have any other ideas on efficient cleaning techniques?
Thanks in advance for helping a brother out.
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GMaj7
374 posts
Mar 10, 2014
7:11 PM
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You could just hit them with a blow dryer or put them under a heat lamp or even medium temp with a cheap heat gun. That's the problem with wax but you should be ok. After the wax melts off, let the plates sit out for few hours and naturally return to room temp.
I think I did it once and even used some 409 degreaser and it got rid of a lot of it.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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harpwrench
791 posts
Mar 10, 2014
8:31 PM
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Fastest way to do it is with a can of spray carburetor cleaner. Wear safety glasses. Clean with warm soapy water.
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rsca415
5 posts
Mar 11, 2014
12:16 AM
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Yeh I was concerned about the same thing! I was thinking that I could soak them in coke for a couple of hours post carburetor cleaner. Then wash them in soapy water..
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snowman
26 posts
Mar 11, 2014
12:57 AM
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im a house painter musician--big deal---i used xylol--washed a few times soap n water-- no problem --metal is not very porous-soit comes off - do in rounds --do round 1--wipe off- now each time the thinner is hitting less wax and it gets easier each round -again finish soap hot water-several -did it years ago-im still alive good luck--don't muscle it --do the easy way
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harpwrench
792 posts
Mar 11, 2014
6:41 AM
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Sorry, was just having some twisted bedtime fun after a long day. Hope nobody took it seriously besides STME58. Boiling them won't hurt anything. I've only had it happen once, and dealt with it manually followed up with ultrasonic bath.
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Helix
60 posts
Mar 11, 2014
9:56 AM
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Mr Harpwrench,
Do you believe wax or nail polish are effective at reducing reed squeal?
I thought I read where you said you didn't think so
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1847
1571 posts
Mar 11, 2014
10:26 AM
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A moon Cat's been using nail polish since he was a Kitten.
it also works well on a harmonica reed
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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chromaticblues
1550 posts
Mar 11, 2014
10:28 AM
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Yes I agree with Moon Lion. Nail polish is the way to go. Nail polish dries hard. It won't supress highend frquencies. Wax absorbs highend frquencies and melts!
Two negatives do not equal a positive in this case!
Oh yeah carb cleaner works great on carberators.
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HarpNinja
3820 posts
Mar 11, 2014
10:52 AM
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I spent a lot of time trying to not use wax or polish type things on overbend harps, but it got to the point where it wasn't worth fighting it anymore and there were diminishing returns.
If a harp needs it, I use something. If not, I don't.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
Rock Harmonica Lessons
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arzajac
1305 posts
Mar 11, 2014
11:17 AM
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A blob of BluTak in the middle of the reed can suppress torsional vibrations for those who want quick-and-easy overblows. They don't play very well, but they are there.
I've serviced "overblow" harps that had nail polish to help the OBs. Customers tend to report that one day, the overblow was just gone! Nail polish flakes off.
I've seen bees wax on harps that has been there for decades. It's all in how you apply it... Less is more.
All in all, if the reed work is not done and the overblow doesn't play well to begin with, adding any substance is a temporary measure at best. If you've done the reed work and the note plays well, a little wax can make the OB play a little nicer, bend a little further before falling off, add a little insurance.
Like Mike says, you can go a long way without wax. I think it's best to go as far as you can and then add the wax rather than blob on wax and hope for the best instead of working on the reeds (both of them).
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Mar 11, 2014 11:18 AM
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harpwrench
793 posts
Mar 11, 2014
11:22 AM
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I was messing with Buddha's head one time and smarted off about it, but even then I'm sure I never said it doesn't work. Usually don't need it for squeals myself, but will apply a very small amount for air tightness at the zero point sometimes. It's definitely just an "icing on the cake" deal for me rather than a problem solver.
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MP
3114 posts
Mar 11, 2014
12:12 PM
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If worried about chemicals after cleaning reed plates use baking soda. It is what we used when I worked for a band instrument repair company after an acid bath in a 55 gallon drum. Another 55 gallon drum was baking soda and water. It neutralizes chemicals.
1. tsp baking soda in an 8 oz cup of warm water should be plenty. make sure the plates are completely submerged and let them sit for a few minutes. Then rinse well.
PS. I keep a gigantic container of baking soda around.
rubbing a bit on your hands makes putting gloves on easier.
sprinkle a little on your reed or cover plates or water proof comb and brush w/ a wet toothbrush to clean.
also use as above if harp stinks to high heaven.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Mar 11, 2014 12:25 PM
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walterharp
1342 posts
Mar 12, 2014
8:32 AM
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Joe forgot to mention that with that cleaner, you need to light it with a match to get rid of all the residue :-)
Seriously, wax should dissolve in mineral oil.. Soak over night, then scrub repeatedly with soap and it should come off ok. With really well set up harps I worry about extreme temperatures as differential expansion and contraction could mess with the gapping, arcing and allignment
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Barley Nectar
318 posts
Mar 12, 2014
4:35 PM
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A moon Cat's been using nail polish since he was a Kitten.
it also works well on a harmonica reed
1847, you are such an ass, LOL Lets have a beer... Goose
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Mar 12, 2014 4:36 PM
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