Posted by bluz on October 08, 2002 at 19:49:55:
In Reply to: Re: need help posted by Patrick J. McKenna on October 06, 2002 at 21:26:38:
i just found some 30 year old chrome harmonica in my basement.
Hey Erik,
I hope your basement isnt like the one in the house I grew up in, damp, and dark. Ive had several people ask me this question or a variation there of. First off, do no harm, I would check for a stuck reed. Being a draw that would make it the lower reed. This being a 30 yr. old harp that would make it a wood body, so running warm water thru it and tapping it out might not be a good idea. I would take a tooth pick and very gently see if you can move the reed at all. I would assume that the cover plates are nailed, removing them can be tricky, if you must, try not to bend or warp them. I use the edge of a very thin knife blade to get them started. Now the scary part. You might find some corrosion and what appears to be a lab experiment growing on the reed plates. Old harps, if not stored in a clean enviroment can be very unhealthy to breath thru. Crud and dust vibrate loose as you start to play them, Yuck !! Patrick's advice about contacting Hohner is a good idea. Please keep in mind, a good quality harp can be had for as little as $20+ bucks, so ask yourself "Is it worth it?" Hey all the best to you Erik, and if you do get a new harp, Please order it thru this site and help support it. Welcome ...........bluz