geordiebluesman
44 posts
Jun 18, 2008
2:21 PM
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Is there anyone out there who has a top tip for ungumming reeds.I have a terrible tendancy to swamp my harps with excess saliva when i play and this seems to make the reed ends sticky the next time i play slowing down response,at the moment i have to remove the covers and clean the reeds with surgical spirt but this is inconvenient and makes the harps taste bad,is there a spray i can use that will disolve the saliva residue then evaporate away?
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eharp
41 posts
Jun 18, 2008
3:18 PM
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i have used rubbing alcohol, mouthwash, and also ran them thru the dishwasher. of course, theses are plastic combs. i have been told windex works well, also. give them a bath in any of the solutions and agitate occasionally. then a hot bath to get the solution and gunk out.
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oldwailer
84 posts
Jun 18, 2008
8:29 PM
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I bought a little spray bottle from a drug store and filled it with Gordon's Dry Gin. I just spray the whole harp down good and wipe it off good--then rap it out. Works great and makes the harps taste good. Mouthwash leaves a sticky residue and will eventually jam the reeds. I don't think there is a way to avoid opening the harp now and then for cleaning--but this method seems to keep them going for a few days at least.
I think Tony "Little Son" Glover recommended soaking them in Tequila--but I find that to be a lot heavier flavor! Besides, when all those little floaters start coming out of the harp--it kind of ruins the tequila!
Last Edited by on Jun 18, 2008 8:33 PM
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geordiebluesman
45 posts
Jun 19, 2008
12:33 AM
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Cheers Oldwailer,by a happy coincidence i happen to be a serious Gin lover so as top tip's go this one is a doozy!,i'll crack open a bottle tonight and give it a go.Actually i'm off to a motorbike rally this weekend and my mates have all said they're not going to hold me up all the time if i get off my head on Gin like i did 3 weeks back at the last rally in fact they've all said they will give me a kicking if they see me with a gin bottle so maybe i can incorporate your method into a stealth Gin drinking plan i'm working on!Keep On Harpin
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DavidC
2 posts
Jun 19, 2008
4:51 AM
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Expensive option could be the Seydel 1847 Silver, apparently dishwasher proof! http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=288131&Locale=en_GB
Last Edited by on Jun 19, 2008 4:53 AM
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oldwailer
88 posts
Jun 20, 2008
9:18 PM
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Well, Geordie, I find that when I start cleaning my throat with the gin I need a lot bigger spray bottle--a couple of those quart-sized industrial kitchen cleaning bottles is about right to keep me and my harps clean for a week-end blow-out!
Gin is such a refreshing replacement for uh, food.
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SUNDOG
5 posts
Jun 21, 2008
11:24 AM
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Not eating during or prior to a sessioon keeps the GROCERIES out of the reeds.
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