Philosofy
145 posts
Feb 21, 2009
7:46 PM
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I just got a WWII era Marine Band from my wife's great aunt, and when it got here I immediately tried to play it. It tasted like crap, and now I've got a cough. I just got over a cold, so I don't think I'd get another cold so soon. I'm worried I may have taken in some mold spores or fungus. Does anyone have any experience with this? What can I sterilize the harp in without damaging the comb?
Thanks
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oldwailer
523 posts
Feb 21, 2009
10:32 PM
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I had a couple of harps arrive in that condition--I buy old ones on Ebay then fix them up.
I think the best thing to do is first wash the comb with Isopropyl alcohol (Don't soak it), let it dry for a day--then seal the comb very thoroughly--5 or 6 coats of finish at least. Be sure to sand it very flat on glass & 200 grit before and after finishing.
Careful not to sand through the sealing coats on the final sanding.
While your at it--you might want to also just overhaul the whole thing--put in screws, arc and emboss and tune and all--but that doesn't have much to do with the spores--just the playability.
As you reassemble, I found it to be good to wash everything with Gordon's London Dry Gin--this leaves them tasting very nice for a while.
If this is all too daunting to you--I'd be happy to discuss where you can ship it to a happy home in my bag!
Good luck with it--you have the potential of the best harp you can get there, with the right handling. If you can afford it, and depending on your skill level, you might even want to talk to Buddha or somebody about doing the work for you, to insure that you get it as good as it can be. . .
Last Edited by on Feb 21, 2009 10:34 PM
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wheezer
52 posts
Feb 22, 2009
4:33 AM
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yeah, I've been there Philosophy.
I was given an old chromatic and it was disgusting. I swear there were things growing in it! Had it been found in Iraq it would have saved George Bush and Tony Blair some very awkward questions.
Like Oldwailer I also buy old harps but, no matter how strong the temptation to try them when they arrive, they go nowhere near my chops untill they have been totally dismantled and cleaned.
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Philosofy
146 posts
Feb 22, 2009
7:47 AM
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Thanks guys. I happen to know what bar Joe Filisko and other harp experts hang out in on Monday night, so I'm going to take it and another old unusual harp to get their opinions.
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Thunderfromheaven
19 posts
Feb 22, 2009
8:44 PM
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Yeah, I just suck the cobwebs out of an old pre war MB,
Out of interest it is a wierd Harp, Pre war (Stared) Hohner Marine Band, Numbered 1-10 but two rows of holes, has rounded end cover plates. Sounds awesome. Has US service mans number scribed on it so I guess WW2 Pick up as it came with some other WW2 uniform bits.
I can not find any pictures of these double rowed MB's any one know any thing about them? there are 2 reeds per hole so it has 40 reeds total but wierd numbering 1-10 like a diatonic?
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