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| maintenance related - Harmonica - Other Instruments - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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DsH Approved
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Hi guys, here's another question from me. I noticed my harmonica got darker where I put my mouth more often (from 3 to 6). It's not easy to notice since it's metalic (Hohner Chromonica 280C) but from a point of view it can be noticed. Also, knowing it's there and focusing while passing the finger in that part, I can notice it's also a bit rough (but it's hard to notice that, so I can't feel that with my lips). I've read some maintenance tips, I always store my harmonica in it's case, it doesn't see sunlight except when I play it, I avoid any sort of impact or extreme heat, etc. My first though was stain. What do I do? Is it reversable? If not, what can I do so it stops there?
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Roger Approved
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G'Day mate, This discolouration is normal, eventually all the air guide will get discoloured. This material is nickel plated brass, and it does oxidise with use, causing the darkening of the nickel. Really serious players, guys who enter competitions etc. put a smear of Vaseline on the harmonica where their lips touch the air guide. This is to stop 'lip-sticking' when playing very fast passages. If you don't mind the taste of Vaseline, it will retard the oxidation process, but not completely. If you regard it like the patina on a good piece of furniture, showing good age, and use, then you can just ignore it. A good rule is to always warm up your Chromatic before using it, that stops "valve sticking" caused by condensation. And always wash and dry the mouthpiece after use, that will help with the minimisation of the oxidation and discolouration. When you wash the front piece make sure that the wooden comb doesn't get soaked. If you cannot stand the discolouration, you might like to investigate getting a chrom with stainless steel covers. Hohner do one and so do Suzuki, I am sure that there are others. I am not sure if you can get an 'air-guide' as a spare part in stainless steel to suit your harmonica. Maybe someone on the forum knows. Hope this helps. Roger Last edited on Wed Aug 20th, 2008 05:26 am by Roger |
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DsH Approved
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Ok, thanks a lot, again. I'll search for it.
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ichadwick Approved 
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Well, if you're a smoker, it most certainly has some stain in it. But the normal acids in your mouth are going to oxidize or corrode the plating on any metal given enough time, and even the bare metal of the reeds. It may cause the nickel plating to roughen a bit but it's not serious since you will likely have to replace the harp (or at least a reed plate) long before it gets eaten away. You can prevent it somewhat by wiping the harp with a cloth after you play. Harps that have plastic combs can be rinsed in water, too (NOT wooden comb harps!). Harps don't need the same sort of care and protection as wooden instruments with fragile finishes. They're hardy little buggers, especially those with plastic combs. Just keep the lint and food out of the air holes, and don't stick them into your back pocket and sit on them.
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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DsH Approved
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Thanks, I'm very careful (and I don't smoke). Maybe I played after eating, I don't know. I'll be more careful in the future.
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kqblues Approved
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Thanks a lot
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| ezFolk Forums > Other Instruments > Harmonica > maintenance related | |
