Philosofy
152 posts
Mar 01, 2009
10:59 AM
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I successfully put a Meisterclasse in the dishwasher, so last night I decided to sanitize all my plastic combed harps in there. It wasn't a complete success. The Lee Oskars, Golden Melodies, and Big River harps were OK. One of my Delta Frosts lost the key lettering that was painted on it, the other Delta Frost was OK. The Honer Pro Harp's black coating took a beating: its pretty dull now. And all my Huang's key lettering ink disappeared.
I just thought I would warn everyone.
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Buddha
79 posts
Mar 01, 2009
11:48 AM
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um.... I use an ultra sonic cleaner for all the used harps I take in for rebuilding. It's not as harsh as a dishwasher and they are clean in 3 minutes. :-)
Last Edited by on Mar 01, 2009 11:48 AM
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Aussiesucker
158 posts
Mar 01, 2009
1:28 PM
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The dishwasher is really harsh. I always take my harps apart as some of the plastic combs have hollowed out channels that can trap and hold water. I only wash them by hand -soaking the parts in a denture cleanser (a steradent cleanser that specifically says it is gentle on metals) and I use an old toothbrush on the combs. I have with some harps ie Suzuki had the key lettering and brand name fade ie but only after years of use and multiples of washes. In all other respects my harps come up looking & playing like new.
I agree with Buddha & was steered by a chemist friend who suggested that I look out for a second hand ultrasonic cabinet that the hairdressers use to steralise their tools.If I were using wooden bodied harps then an ultrasonic cleaning cabinet would be the go.
After every use I wipe my harps with 'Skin Cleaning Alcohol Wipes' which I purchase from a pharmacy.
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jbone
28 posts
Mar 01, 2009
7:58 PM
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yeah, shy away from ovens too:
a few years ago i got onto a sealing kick. i'd disassemble a mb or blues harp, drill and tap for screws through the reed plates and combs, deburr it all, and dip the comb in beeswax. which worked pretty well until i iilled a reed. the harps seemed to play better afterwards up to that point. i had a 270 chromatic in D- not a great key- but i figured i'd do likewise and seal the comb and get rid of the nails to boot. i pulled the mouthpiece and covers, drilled, tapped, deburred, and then since the wood comb was so much bigger and i didn't have a big enough dish to fit it with beeswax in it, i heated some wax to liquid, coated the comb- and decided it would be a good idea to just warm the comb for a few minutes in the oven to even out the wax. mistake! warped the comb beyond repair.
i clean my harps with 91% alcohol, a lint free cloth, and sometimes a warm water GENTLE rinse. i use a thin slim bit of metal to clear around the reeds. simple and effective. note- don't use the menthol alcohol unless you REALLY like menthol!
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Patrick Barker
186 posts
Mar 01, 2009
9:56 PM
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If you want a completely dishwasher proof harp get the seydel 1847 silver
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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Buddha
80 posts
Mar 02, 2009
5:42 AM
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I'm curious to know why anybody would think to put a harp in the dishwasher? There so many better and faster ways to do it.
I thoroughly every used harp I take in and I clean every new harp that I send out because I've played them but I have NEVER cleaned one of my personal harps. I know gunk gets built up but it just adds to the overall air tightness and flavor.
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scstrickland
15 posts
Mar 02, 2009
5:53 AM
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What people will do to clean their harmonicas. I once tried using lemon juice. The idea being the acid would clean the brass like a penny. It seemed to work quite well. I soaked my big river in a solution of 1 part lemon juice 2 parts hot water. It shined up the reeds quite well but left a foul metallic taste that lasted a week. The next time I tried it, I neutralized the acid with a baking soda solution and it cut down on the taste. I have to wonder if repeated acid baths would ruin the reeds, therefore I am in no way advocating this method. I now use wood combed harps so occasionally break them open rinse the reeds under hot water and bush the reeds and combs with a soft tooth brush.
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MrVerylongusername
178 posts
Mar 02, 2009
6:06 AM
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Don't put them under the grill either ;-)
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harmonicanick
164 posts
Mar 02, 2009
7:08 AM
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I agree with Buddah
I just wipe the outside of the harps before use
I was amazed to watch a cookery programme on tv the other day and a Norwegian cooked a salmon in foil in the dishwasher.
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eharp
220 posts
Mar 02, 2009
11:41 AM
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buddha- i clean my harps because the gunk and debris gets on the reeds and chokes them off. and being lazy, there is no easier or quicker or cheaper way to clean them that i know of. but i am always looking for easier, cheaper and quicker.
what you got??
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Grillslinger
21 posts
Mar 02, 2009
11:56 AM
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Take the time to open it and clean it. Don't forget that you're talking about a musical instrument.
You wouldn't clean a trumpet or a flute in a dishwasher, would you?
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Stank Breath
2 posts
Mar 02, 2009
12:31 PM
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I take apart and clean mine by hand about once a week.
Just use some mild soap and lightly dry it with an eyeglass rag.
I also like to briefly dip the comb in watered down mouthwash, and then wash it off thouroughly. That gets rid of that stank for me
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Buddha
81 posts
Mar 02, 2009
1:03 PM
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eharp,
I don't clean my harps because I don't need to. I don't play after I eat and I'm not a wet players.
Otherwise, as I've stated before, I clean used harps in an ultrasonic cleaner. They sparkle after three minutes
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Stank Breath
7 posts
Mar 02, 2009
1:41 PM
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When I play my harp it's usually after I've been smoking or drinking, so my harp smells awful after about a week
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All the best music has already been written by guys in wigs and stuff.
-Frank Zappa
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Honkin On Bobo
21 posts
Mar 04, 2009
12:49 PM
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Man harplayers are a wacky bunch. When I read the title for this thread I thought it was going to be a joke or a funny story like; I accidently left my Marine Band in the gravyboat and the next thing you know..........
Then I realized people were serious and I thought, well I guess I'm the weird one, cause I never clean the insides of my harps (other than the obligatory tapping out excess moisture right after playing).
Then I read Buddha's comment, and thought,oh OK I might be semi-normal after all. An all around entertaining read.
Is it any wonder why I love this forum?
Last Edited by on Mar 04, 2009 12:51 PM
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MrVerylongusername
189 posts
Mar 04, 2009
3:35 PM
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There is a school of thought that says all that dried crud inside your harp actually helps make it more airtight...
Last Edited by on Mar 04, 2009 4:21 PM
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Stank Breath
10 posts
Mar 07, 2009
5:47 PM
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I agree with Aussie, denture cleaner always does it for my harps, which I'm forced to clean regularly(for an explanation why, see username). When I'm done with that I dip the comb and reeds in watered down listerine and then handwash them with baby soap, this leaves a subtle minty flavor for a few sessions and kills all the remaining odor.
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All the best music has already been written by guys in wigs and stuff.
-Frank Zappa
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Stank Breath
11 posts
Mar 07, 2009
5:54 PM
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about my last post, when I clean one of my harps with a wooden comb I don't use baby soap because it sometimes soaks in and leaves an unpleasant taste. I reccomend alcohol pads instead.
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All the best music has already been written by guys in wigs and stuff.
-Frank Zappa
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