Re: [Harp-L] Soaking A Hohner Marine Band

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

I used to soak my MBs in Vodka. Now that I use spl-20s, I no longer  
do. ps the soak doesn't necessarily make the harp tight due to  
swelling. It's the water getting into the crevices. Water will also  
close down the tolerances of the reed/reed slot. The film of moisture  
coats the parts (for a while).
p.s. #2 beer isn't good for soaking, as beer is a sticky substance.
smo-joe

On Feb 23, 2007, at 11:49 AM, Rich wrote:

> Years ago, I used to soak my Hohner Marine Band harmonicas in  
> water.  Although the soaking quickly ruined the harmonica due to  
> swelling of the wooden comb and rusting of the reedplates, I still  
> remember a few brief moments of playing bliss, when the harp became  
> so much more responsive and easy to play that it felt like I was  
> playing an entirely different musical instrument.  The difference  
> was almost beyond belief.  Of course, I no longer soak harmonicas,  
> but no harmonica I've played since plays with the same kind of ease  
> either.
>
> Can anybody explain why soaking a harmonica temporarily improves  
> its playability so much?  Is it entirely due to increasing air- 
> tightness due to better sealing of the wooden comb when swollen, or  
> is there some other explanation? And if it's just air-tightness, is  
> there any modification that can be performed on a contemporary harp  
> that can achieve an equivalent effect?
>
> Rich
>
> P.S.  (1) Don't try this at home, and (2) I remember noting that  
> beer is an equally effective soaking agent.
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