walterharp
373 posts
Jun 27, 2010
2:23 PM
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Hello all,
There have been many threads on cleaning harmonicas, but I would like to get input from some of the guys who professionally customize and then maintain harmonicas (e.g. Chris, Deak or Joe) or who have received recommendations from the likes of Filsko on how to care for their special instruments.
What type of cleaning and after how many hours of playing do these guys recommend before what type of cleaning?
I am not after the "here is what I do with my own harmonicas", we have heard plenty of this. Interested in hearing from people who see and work on lots and lots of harps played by lots of other people.
Thanks,
Walter
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walterharp
377 posts
Jun 28, 2010
10:57 AM
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cool, thanks.. chris?
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ridge
26 posts
Jun 28, 2010
11:25 AM
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Joe,
If you read this again, please enlighten me. What do you mean by those "players with a body chemistry that turns the inside of your harp green"?
I just popped open a 4 yr old SP20 to do some work on it and all my blow reeds had a decent greenish buildup as did the undersides of my draw reeds. The buildup kind of reminds me of the color of the Statue of Liberty coloring. Not even a buildup, really, but more like a film or residue.
Would you be referring to someone with a more acidic pH balance causing this to happen?
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Buddha
2143 posts
Jun 28, 2010
11:29 AM
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I don't clean my harps unless I have to take it apart to fix it.
I do pick out the shit that accumulate in the holes but that's about it.
for client harps, I toss them in the ultra sonic cleaner. Comb, cover and all.
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"All is bliss"
Last Edited by on Jun 28, 2010 11:37 AM
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toddlgreene
1488 posts
Jun 28, 2010
11:30 AM
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@ ridge-I'm one of those 'acidic' guys myself. I get that on my older harps too. I've had to use BarKeeper's Friend to de-funk as well.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Jun 28, 2010 11:35 AM
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toddlgreene
1489 posts
Jun 28, 2010
1:39 PM
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I only say that because after many visits to docs for acid reflux, etc., I've been told by docs my pH tends to the acidic side. This just makes sense, Joe. In other words, don't play my harps;-)
I was a fire-breathing dragon in a former life. Or maybe a gecko.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Jun 28, 2010 1:40 PM
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Greg Heumann
596 posts
Jun 28, 2010
3:52 PM
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OK, I'm not a pro harp builder. But in response to harpwrench's post - I bought an ultrasonic cleaner like this one: http://www.amazon.com/CD-2800-Ultrasonic-Jewelry-Eyeglass-Cleaner/dp/B001DKDAVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1277765384&sr=8-1
Very cheap. I have used it together with denture cleaning tablets and water with my harps, both together and with the reed plates removed from the combs - and both methods seem to work pretty well. At least, there's gunk in the water afterward that wasn't there to start. But I'm like Buddha - I generally don't clean my harps unless they're not acting right to begin with.
Note - because the cleaner above is SO cheap and some go for hundreds of $$, I'm not sure if it "really" ultrasonic - I imagine you get what you pay for to some degree - but it does seem to help.
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Jun 28, 2010 3:54 PM
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arzajac
265 posts
Jun 28, 2010
6:52 PM
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http://www.shopxscargo.com/product_catalogue/cat_product_details.asp?category_id=14&product_code=26570&sub_category_1_id=76&category=Other
This one is 20 bucks and seems to work very well. I can fit my Marine Band 364 reedplates and covers in it.
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Buddha
2151 posts
Jun 28, 2010
6:57 PM
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I got my ultra sonic cleaner from the University of MN surplus store. It cost me $15 and it's better than anything made for a consumer.
My mother practices at the University so it was no issue for her to get one. If you know somebody that works at a major research facility they most like can get you a similar deal.
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"All is bliss"
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