I just found a forty year old Hohner harmonica I haven't "played" in thirty plus years. God knows

[Floyd R. Turbo]

what may be living in it after all this time. Any advice on how to clean it, or should I just 86 it and get a new one?

[Harker]

1. By blowing out

rather than drawing in.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

3. What about any bacteria or mold?

[Harker]

5. I'm in a similar situation.

My plan is to unscrew them, and daintily go at the guts with alcohol swabs.

I'm not an expert, but can't see any harm in it if done gently.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

6. Good idea. My greatest concern is damaging the reeds!

[Flaleftist]

7. How about just soaking it in isopropyl alcohol overnight.

and rinsing it out?

[Floyd R. Turbo]

9. Might work! 👍🏻

[red dog 1]

15. NO!! THAT WILL RUIN IT!!

Don't ever soak it in anything!

Hold it under cold water, top up, then slap it against a towel or your hand.

[Harker]

8. Mine, too.

Maybe a combo of alcohol and compressed air...

That's the best I can think of. Mine's old, but it's been in it's case in a dry environment for most of its life. I have a newly acquired set of five as backup. So long as you're prepared to risk having to replace it, I'd advise boldness.

Good luck, and back!

[Floyd R. Turbo]

10. Thanks! Odds are there is nothing in it that could

kill me after a whiff of Lagavulin! 🥃

[red dog 1]

16. See my reply below yours (# 15)

[geardaddy]

2. Do you have anyone in the area that fixes accordions?

They might be able to clean it/tune it up for you.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

4. Good idea!

[In_The_Wind]

13. Sounds like the best idea.

[dameatball]

11. Put it in the microwave!!!!!!!

[Floyd R. Turbo]

12. Okay then!

[red dog 1]

19. Putting any metal object in a microwave oven could be very bad

Not only would it ruin the harmonica, it could also ruin the microwave.

[dameatball]

22. It's okay. Floyd doesn't live anywhere near me and he has insurance....:) I think.

[red dog 1]

24. Ha Ha Ha Ha

You cracked me up with that one!

[red dog 1]

14. Floyd, DO NOT "SOAK" IT IN ANYTHING!!!!!

Last edited Mon Sep 10, 2018, 08:23 PM - Edit history (2)

I've been playing harmonica for 50 years, and I have several 40-year-old harmonicas, and a few newer ones too.

NEVER put a harmonica in any liquid & leave it.
The reeds will "float out" permanently, and you won't be able to use it ever again.

Here's what you do to clean it.

Go to the kitchen sink, turn on the COLD water, and hold the harmonica, reeds end up, under the cold water, for a minute or so, then dry it by holding a towel in one hand while "slapping'
the harmonica on the towel....It does not have to be bone dry.
In fact, you can use it right after holding it under the cold water, but it will sound better if you dry it just a little.

Also, being that old, one or two of the "holes" might be bad...You'll know if when you blow in or out and no note comes out, that means that hole is "bad".

The most important "orifices" [holes] are, from the left side, holes # 3,4,5, and 6.

Hole # 3 is C (blowing in)
Hole # 3 is D (blowing out)
Hole # 4 is E (blowing in)
Hole # 4 is F (blowing out)
Hole # 5 is G (blowing in)
Hole # 5 is A (blowing out)
Hole # 6 is B (blowing out)
Hole # 6 is C (blowing in)

All these notes are in whatever key the harmonica is
With those old M. Hohner or 'Blues Harp" harmonicas, the key is indented on the top right

Have fun!

[dameatball]

23. This sounds like someone that knows what they are talking about.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

28. Damn! Too late. I put it in the sink with my sweat socks! 😥

[red dog 1]

30. Well, if you left it in water for more than a few seconds, chances are that the reeds will

"float" out, and it won't be playable anymore.

Check out Amazon.com (Google: "Harmonicas for sale&quot
They have harmonicas similar to the one you have starting at $6.84.
(Hohner 1501BX Blues Band Harmonica, C" (key of C)

Have fun!

[red dog 1]

17. Was it in a harmonica case for all those years?

If so, chances are that it still will play.

You don't ever need to play reeds # 1 or 2, or #s 8, 9 or 10
Reeds # 3,4,5,6 give you a complete set of keys, starting at C (Blowing In on hole # 3)
and ending at high C (Blowing in hole # 6)

Playing around with all the reeds except #s 1, 9 & 10 should be fun for you.
[Holes # 1 and 10 are useless]

[Floyd R. Turbo]

29. Cardboard sleeve.

[LuckyCharms]

18. Try this, Floyd.

I would also use an alcohol pad on the internal parts also.

[red dog 1]

25. + 1

[Ptah]

20. If it has the right mold, you might turn into a fungi.

[red dog 1]

21. Hey Floyd, if you don't want to spend $40 on a new Hohner, try the much cheaper Chinese

harmonicas.....They're not suitable for professional harmonica playing, but they work just fine.

One brand I used to buy is "Huang's 'Star Performer'...They're as much fun to play as the more expensive ones.

[The video above this reply should be helpful as far as cleaning, although I'm unable to watch it]

[Bradshaw3]

26. Don't have an answer but seems opportune for some Charlie Musselwhite

One of my faves here:

[onethatcares]

27. very interesting

I picked up a Hohner Bluesband in C at the local thrift shop for the whopping sum of $1.18. Now I gotta peruse the interweb for lessons.

why would you 86 any musical instrument? they make good paperweights if nothing else.

[OxQQme]

31. instructions from Lee Oskar site

https://leeoskar.com/ufaqs/how-to-clean-your-harmonica/

Here's an ultra-sonic harp cleaner --> https://www.turboharp.com/tha-03b-ultrasonic-harmonica-cleaner

[OxQQme]

32. Not about cleaning, but, Charlie Musslewhite

?list=RD0ra7_Pt5DTI