Comments on: How to Do Basic Maintenance on Your Harmonica

on 7/24/2008 Can someone tell me how to "repair" a reed on my Hohner Chromatic? It suddenly sounds awful. Not sharp or flat, just really non musical.

on 4/13/2008 should the metal reeds be flush, or should they be at a slight angel to the metal plate they are screwed? the harmonica is a hohner"blues harp". just found some papers in the top of the case!

the cost was appx. 35 bucks @local rip off music store.

thanks in advance
mjbeem

on 1/21/2008 Not sure I'd run tap water through it. I just pull the covers every so often and use isopropylalcohol with kleenex and a razorblade to clean the reeds, etc. You can also tune flat reeds by using an emory board to file a few grains of metal off the end and bring it up to pitch.

on 2/12/2007 I have found that the ideal way to remove finger prints from my Hohner Meister Klasse Harmonica is to gently wipe it down with a damp cottin cloth and then use a nylon shammy, like the ones used to clean eye glasses, to polish it clean of any grime, sweat or markings. I do this especially after use.

on 2/12/2007 If you allow your harmonica to get very dirty, use toothpaste to clean the metal parts. Rub gently, because toothpaste is slightly abrasive.
Put a very light smear of virgin olive oil on the chromatic slide components. This prevents the saliva from "glueing" the slide and causing restricted motion.