Jetmo
1 post
Feb 21, 2011
6:56 PM
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I'm curious to see what effect if any replacing the wooden comb on a harp with a denser material like aluminum or brass would have. I seem to remember reading an article somewhere about a 16 year old boy who died from inhaling some sort of oxide that had formed on a brass harmonica. I plan to modify a blues harp probably an A,C or a G by fabricating an aluminum comb but I'm afraid I'll get a bi-metal reaction between the aluminum and the brass reed plate. Any information on this would be appreciated.
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chromaticblues
624 posts
Feb 22, 2011
7:25 AM
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@Jetmo Easy enough! Don't let them touch! After you make your comb and sand it flat. Rub bees wax on both sides of the comb. Put a light film on both sides and evenly rub it around with your finger untill all the surface is covered. Then the metals will be sealed from each other and it forms a gasket to prevent air loss.
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Buzadero
735 posts
Feb 22, 2011
12:31 PM
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I suppose you could get a galvanic reaction from dissimilar metals in a harp context. But, other than some very minor change of color, unless you have the thing submerged in your mouth, you'll not have much issue with it.
An anodic/cathodic reaction is a little more than mere contact between the metals.
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~Buzadero
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Miles Dewar
736 posts
Feb 22, 2011
2:27 PM
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Great input Joe.
Proceed with the lecture if you must.
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Matzen
21 posts
Feb 22, 2011
2:46 PM
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I used to play trumpet and I remember talk about using raw brass and how it can cause brass poisoning. Maybe the plating whore off of the kid's comb? I also have heard of people with severe allergies to raw brass. They can't even touch it without breaking out. I think death by brass is very rare.
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nacoran
3841 posts
Feb 22, 2011
3:33 PM
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I guess that's what they mean by death metal.
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Nate
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sim
6 posts
Feb 23, 2011
10:37 PM
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if you have bare brass it could cause you some problem until the oxidation layer comes back i filled down my cross over reed plates the other day you have a funny taste in your mouth for a while but it will go. as for the aluminum i would tread careful because as a metal aluminum is made using a base metal called alum i think and that is a poisones material you should find out if they put any layers one the drink cans and what grade they use for that and then use that grade aluminum
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Jetmo
2 posts
Feb 26, 2011
8:54 AM
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I found this from the NY Times dated Jan 22 1888.
John Lamar Acree, the 16-year-old boy of Mr. J.L. Acree of lower Lee County, died on last Thursday after a lingering and painful illness, the result of blood poisoning from a brass harmonica. The harmonica was a Christmas purchase of the boy's, and in blowing it the cankered brass poisoned his mouth and lungs. Drs. Davis and McMillan were called in, but no physician's skill could arrest the deadly effects of the poison.
Could have been just a coincidence though. Anyway thanks for the help and suggestions all. I'll post my results.
Regards,Jet
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nacoran
3849 posts
Feb 26, 2011
9:27 AM
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1888! To be fair, cause of death was probably determined a little less vigorously scientific then.
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Nate
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OzarkRich
403 posts
Feb 26, 2011
10:47 AM
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Hohner, Suzuki and Seydel all use anodized combs and should be safe, as anodizing creates an extremely hard layer keeping the aluminum from "leaching" out.
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chromaticblues
639 posts
Feb 26, 2011
1:00 PM
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Jetmo that article is just 1888 stupid!
Do a little research and find out what grade aluminum they use to make canned drinks. Then just put some sealant on the comb before you bolt the reedplates on. Beeswax! As long as you chew on the comb I think you'll be fine.
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