Harmonica cleaning

Hi Emanuel, good to hear from you.

Portugal, the land of Super Bock--yum!

I would not recommend bathing an assembled Hohner Marine Band Deluxe and Crossover into the ultrasonic cleaner. You would need to disassemble the harmonica first, then only place the "metal parts" (cover plates, reed plates and machine screws) in the ultrasonic cleanser.

The reason is that the wood and bamboo combs will distort--sorry about that ;o(

If the combs were manufacture with plastic or composite, for example, Hohner Special 20, Golden Melody or Suzuki Manji--you would be able to drop the entire harmonica into the bath. I do it all the time, and having 40,000 bubbles per second clean my harmonicas is a beautiful thing.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Good to hear from you Emanuel,

Here are my proven steps for non-ultrasonic cleaning techiques:

1. Disassemble your harmonica
2. In a bowl of clean water and light dish washing detergent, soak for 10 minutes, all plastic and metal parts.
3. Next borrow your friends or spouse's toothbrush--I'm certain they won't mind ;o), scrub the harmonicoccus (aka crud) from the cover plates, then rinse with clean water to remove all residue. Air dry, or use a hair dryer on "low cool" setting
4. The reed plates require more care. Scrubbing carelessly will snag the bristles of the brush under the reeds, and probably bend them. I recommend (especially the reed side UP), stroke the brush in the direction of the reed rivet > to the front (free end of reed). Rinse and dry.

For wood and/or bamboo combs:

1. For the slots and mouthpiece, brushing with a "dry" (no moisture) course toothbrush works well to remove discusting harmonicoccus.
2. If a greenish (probably brass/copper residue), film is discovered on the mating surfaces of your comb, try this:
3. Securely tape the four edges of a sheet of 400 grit cabinet maker's sandpaper, onto a flat surface (e.g. glass)
4. Lay the flat side(s) of the comb onto the sheet of sandpaper, then carefully (read: even pressure) push/drag the comb across the sandpaper. Blow off the sawdust and examine the surfaces. If you are satified with the appearance--STOP, and proceed to the flip side of your comb. OVER SANDING CAN DISTORT YOUR COMB! I already anticipate getting hate mail from your friends and spouse for using their toothbrush, I don't want to receive hate mail from you guys as well ;o(
5. Finally, apply a layer of Painter's Blue masking tape on to the sanded surfaces, then carefully remove. This will leave your comb free of sawdust.
6. Reassemble all the components (tip: blow reed plate on top, draw reed plate on bottom)
7. Go make beautiful music!

Your Harpsmith, Kinya