Ultrasonic cleaner: brass reeds, debris removal.
Kinya:
I had been considering buying an ultrasonic cleaner. After watching your great videos on harmonica care I finally went and ordered one. It should show up next week. I had two questions.
1. I have no qualms placing my stainless steel reed Seydels in the cleaner, however I was concerned about my brass reed Hohners and LOs. Are there any issues with rusting on the brass?
2. If I were to place the harmonica in the cleaner without removing the cover plates, laying it flat, would the gunk Inside getting blasted off settle in the bottom cover plate? Would it be better to angle or lay the harmonica with an open end down so the gunk falls out?
Also as an aside, any recommended spray for cleaning the front playing area? I had just been wiping down with a wet towel and then wiping it dry.
Thanks
Brian
Kinya:
I searched around the forum under ultrasonic cleaners. While I did not find exact answers, I could deduce from the discussions how people were using the cleaner and on what type of harmonicas. I tried my new cleaner last night on all my plastic body harmonicas. I let them dry overnight. When I played each one this morning they still worked as usual, but feeling cleaner. So far the ultrasonic cleaner appears to being doing its job.
Thanks
Brian
Hi Brian
Q: I have no qualms placing my stainless steel reed Seydels in the cleaner, however, I was concerned about my brass reed Hohners and LOs. Are there any issues with rusting on the brass?
A: With our aspirated and inhaled breath, the moisture over time will encourage rust to form on the brass. After norming playing, I strongly recommend slapping the mouthpiece against the heels of your hand or thigh. This will knock out the residual moisture. After your 40,000 times a second bubble bath (read: Ultrasonic cleaner), every nook and cranny will be filled with water. Gently blowing out the residual moisture with a low CFM air compressor, or blower/hair dryer (on cool mode) works great.
Q2: If I were to place the harmonica in the cleaner without removing the cover plates, laying it flat, would the gunk inside getting blasted off settle in the bottom cover plate? Would it be better to angle or lay the harmonica with an open end down so the gunk falls out?
A2: Once you get into the habit of:
- after eating; to brush/gargle/floss your teeth before playing the harmonica
- after playing; remove the majority of the moisture out of the instrument, before tucking it in for the night
- store your harmonica in a clean protective case, not your pocket, so as not to trap dust bunnies and toothpicks
- from time to time, disassemble the harmonica (cover plates, reed plates, and comb), and ultrasound clean the components, gently brush the comb's nooks and crannies with a tootbrush to remove traces of harmonicoccus
... you should find it rare event to have gunk fall out of your instrument.
Q3: Also as an aside, any recommended spray for cleaning the front playing area? I had just been wiping down with a wet towel and then wiping it dry.
A3: Most of us around here like spray onto the mouthpiece and cover plates, the Roche'-Thomas, "Mi-T-Mist" mouthpiece cleanser. It will leave your harmonica minty fresh!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Brian
Thank you for joining us. The topic of ultrasonic cleansing for harmonicas is one of the most popular on this web site. In this FORUM section, I recommend you search by "Ultrasonic" and read the previous blogs. You will not be disapointed. If by chance, you do not find the answers you seek, let me know.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya