How To Clean A Lee Oskar Harmonica

Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Quick clean advice
Quick clean advice
Page: 1

Thunderfromheaven 6 posts Jan 15, 2009 6:07 PM	I've just trawled through all the old posts and read about methods using chemicals and denture tablets to clean harps when stripping to clean. When in the house I brush my teeth before playing and have several older harps just for out of the house practice. After prolonged use I get that residue build up around the inside of the holes even on my clean play harps and some times the reeds stick needing massive air to play. Flushing under the tap and tapping out the water works for a short while. Is there a good quick clean method any one uses that doesnt mean taking them to bits? I mostly have plastic combs. Last Edited by on Jan 15, 2009 6:08 PM
Philosofy 119 posts Jan 15, 2009 7:13 PM	Dish Wahser. Cleans and sanitizes, but you need aluminum or plastic combs.
Thunderfromheaven 8 posts Jan 15, 2009 9:39 PM	does the dishwasher change the tuning? My dishwasher gets very hot
MrVerylongusername 111 posts Jan 15, 2009 11:15 PM	You don't need to dismantle the harp if you use a denture tablet. I just drop the whole lot in, intact, into a pint glass filled with warm water and 2 tablets. Leave the harps in for 10-20 mins then take them out, rinse with clean water, shake them out and leave in a warm cupboard to dry.
DaDoom 25 posts Jan 15, 2009 11:47 PM	Huh I didn't think you can just drop a harp into water without ruining it. I will try. Speaking of cleaning: I just bought a Suzuki Bluesmaster and as it plays a bit sticky I had to remove the coverplates to do some work on the reeds. The are black fingermarks on the reedplate and they can't be rubbed off. Very strange...
MrVerylongusername 112 posts Jan 16, 2009 1:10 AM	@DaDoom I forgot to say, don't do it if you use wooden bodied harps! Only plastic.
Tuckster 79 posts Jan 16, 2009 6:14 AM	I assume you remove the reedplates before sticking it in the dishwasher. I just use a pin to remove the crud from the holes. Don't use the tip of the pin, just the side of it.
Buzadero 15 posts Jan 16, 2009 9:46 AM	Perhaps, if ya'll are lucky and ask real nice....perhaps the Violin Cat will be persuaded to post his "Sexy Rocker's Harmonica Cleaning Ritual". Since he posted this regimen to the Big L a few year's back, I have used it with very rewarding results. VC? ~Buzadero Underwater Janitor, Patriot
Buzadero 16 posts Jan 16, 2009 9:58 AM	Perhaps, if ya'll are lucky and ask real nice....perhaps the Violin Cat will be persuaded to post his "Sexy Rocker's Harmonica Cleaning Ritual". Since he posted this regimen to the Big L a few year's back, I have used it with very rewarding results. VC? ~Buzadero Underwater Janitor, Patriot
SteveL 14 posts Jan 16, 2009 11:59 AM	I just did a search on Harp-L, I think this is the post Buzadero is referring to: http://harp-l.org/mailman/htdig/harp-l/2005-July/msg00333.html
Buzadero 17 posts Jan 16, 2009 12:16 PM	Yup. That's the one. A bit fiddly and obsessive. But, ruthlessly effective. ~Buz
MD1032 19 posts Jan 16, 2009 6:42 PM	One thing that I did once was take my sticky, non-responsive Lee Oskar and dismantle it and soak it in my clarinet mouthpiece cleaner stuff. It worked ridiculously well... the harmonica played like it was brand new after that. You can get it on WWBW: http://www.wwbw.com/The-Doctors-Products-Doctor-MP-Mouthpiece-Cleaner-i233297.music Pretty cheap stuff, but it works better than anything I've ever encountered before. I've tried using isopropyl alcohol on my mouthpieces and harmonicas before, hydrogen peroxide, etc, none of it works the way this stuff does. The gunk just washes off, no problem. Oh, don't get the cleaning chamber, just use a plastic cup, then send it through the dishwasher. Last Edited by on Jan 16, 2009 6:43 PM
Max-T 5 posts May 03, 2009 4:57 AM	This is just the post I've been looking for. After playing my harp for a few weeks w/o washing its started to accumulate a weird smell and was wondering how I should go about cleaning it. I was worried that I might break/rust/do something weird to my harp. Just so happens that I have a tonne of Isopropanol for cleaning thermal paste off processors, (I'm a custom PC builder for freinds/people who want to pay for it). I did the last method on my Lee Oskar as I didnt have too much time for the 1st and it seemed to work quite well. (took the smell away atleast.) ---------- "imagination is more important then knowledge" - Albert Einstien
tookatooka 213 posts May 03, 2009 5:10 AM	Hi Max-T. Another Englander is always welcome to the forum. I'm in North London. I only play for my pleasure and the wifes pain. Isopropanol Alchohol may affect a plastic comb. Be careful. ---------- When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Max-T 6 posts May 03, 2009 5:24 AM	Thanks very much for the advice tookatooka! The solution I use is only 70% rather then 91% as VC describes. However I think I may bear that in mind when I next try to clean my harp and do a little more reasearch into its effects. Last thing I want to do is kill my harp less then a month after I got it Oh and by the way I love your traditional paintings on your website! If I had any money I'd drop you a line but alas I'm broke as can be ;) ---------- "imagination is more important then knowledge" - Albert Einstien
Aussiesucker 258 posts May 03, 2009 5:59 PM	Be careful with cleaning ie it is best to strip the harp apart before immersing the parts in any liquid as many combs eg Suzuki Bluesmasters have hollowed out sections that can easily trap and retain liquids. I strip them down ( Suzuki & Lee Oskars ) and soak in a denture cleanser and scrub the combs with an old tooth brush. Rinse thoroughly. I hang the bits on a line in the shade using bent paper clips. When thoroughly dry reassemble being careful to not overtighten the reedplate screws.
Chris13058 2 posts Sep 28, 2017 6:57 AM	Easiest harps to clean: Yonbergs. You loosen three large screws on the cover plate open it up, ( the screwdriver comes free with each harp) slide two pivot arms and the reedplates pop right out. No more stripped screws, wondering about how much to tighten screws when reassembling, dropping small screws all over the place etc. Takes about a minute to disassemble and reassemble.