Cleaning tips for Harmonica with Steve Baker

Steve uses Hohner Harmonicas.
Follow Steve:
www.stevebaker.de/
www.furtadosonline.com

[@blackdogleg]

I use sesame oil on my wooden combs. Natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungi and anti-virus and is a good moisture barrier.

[@gfd215]

I wash my harp with Whisky... Very simple....

[@josephmeacham2696]

Very helpful! Thank you for your clarity and preciseness in which you explain everything, and for the care you take of your instrument.

[@billwallis8433]

Thanks Steve, Great tip on not over tightening reed plate as I've done before. My Hohner Steve Baker Special is now tuned to a minor which has become my favorite big blues machine. One tip that might be added is to back tread the plate screws, (counter clockwise), when reinstalling, until a very slight click is felt to prevent any cross threading. Keep on blowing and sharing. Cheers,

[@tgs989]

The best cleaning video I have watched yet. Thanks Mate! Cheers

[@KingfisherLtd]

Great video! "Deposits of dried saliva" sounds great. Very scientific. Like a "residues on a pottery" in archaeology.

[@USAlien234]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a bunch of old harps my dad owned. I wanted to learn to play and I wanted to clean them up a bit. Much appreciated brother.

[@athenasword1]

Thanks. You have just saved me £20 pounds. Thought I needed a new one.

[@nacoran]

I like using craft picks (slightly thicker than toothpicks, the sticks modelers use to put glue on models). Because the wood is softer than than the harmonica parts (or at worst, only as hard as) you can scrape crud off pretty well. I like sonic cleaners for everything but the wood parts, and I'm a klutz, so I don't like toothbrushes (snagged a reed once), but still, fundamentally, this is more or less what I do. The craft picks are also really good for getting the crud that builds up in the holes- as long as you hold the harmonica so the stuff falls out, not in. And in addition to not playing wet, don't play sticky. Rinse your mouth before playing if you've just had a sugary drink or food. I wipe my harps down after playing. A microfiber cloth works great, but even just wiping the covers off keeps dried spit from accumulating. I guess what I'm saying is I can clean my harmonicas as well as Steve Baker can. I just wish I could play as well as he can!

[@1959Berre]

Never use vinegar or any - other acid agent for that matter. Brass will disolve slowly in cold vinegar and rather fast in warm vinegar. Better is to add a few drops of green dish washing detergent (dreft) that has a high pH in luke warm water. The detergent will decrease the surface tension of the water so it will soak better without causing damage.

[@syedjunaidhashmi29]

What about using isopropyl alcohol?

[@upen52]

Not really 1959Berre, Vinegar is not a powerful dissolving agent (contains just about 5¬20% acetic acid) and soaking for a few minutes will only clean the reed plates and loosen and remove all gunk deposited by the players saliva. I've been using it for years and never had any harmonica 'dissolve' in the solution ! Vinegar is extensively used as a cooking ingredient and had it been that corrosive, it would have been banned from being used for cooking. So, don't worry about any harm being done to the harmonica. And as Grace Jimmy says, you can use IPA, but that would not clean the plates thoroughly. IPA, though, can be used as a disinfectant and can be used to clean the mouthpiece.

[@syedjunaidhashmi29]

Thank you for your comment. I would also like to bring into your attention about making a paste of vinegar and baking soda and then using a tooth brush to clean reeds.. followed by a quick soak in vinegar that felt unnecessary but anyways i soaked them for a quick dip to remove paste.. The paste works well and the acidic nature is neutralized by baking soda.. so all safe I suppose.. I did that recently and I have had great results..

[@stuffnuns]

Also, although vinegar is a gentle acid Don’t use it with steel reeds (Seydel’s). Acetic acid will attack the steel fairly quickly. One time probably won’t harm them, but as a regular cleaning rigor, not a good idea.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

BETTER OFF JUST USING JACK DANIELS . YOUR HARMONICA WILL THANK YOU FOR IT.

[@ramraider4159]

i need this video right now in my life just bought a c chromatic harp that reaks of tobacco

[@bin5048]

That smell most likely won't come out

[@60viking]

Sounds like the title of a blues song. :-)

[@starstart23]

I rub the reeds down with fresh hot red chicken nuggets to keep them tasting great!

[@stuffnuns]

Always do that right before you gig. Yah!

[@UlIxes1]

Add some Whisky, Grappa or Vodka...

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

I just chuck mine in the washing machine....but remember to use fabric softener!

[@anthonywestjr1063]

So simple a Caveman could do it! LMAO

[@superfan5598]

Amorican Dream that will wreck it! Idiot

[@maximilianoperezfeulien2734]

Great video. Specially if you have customized or expensive harmonicas, you just don't replace them as easily (a Seydel Noble can be around 100 euros and a custom work on any harp is a work of art by the luthier). If you want to play overdraws and overblows, you need to adjust the gap on the reeds to your way of playing, as many harmonicas do not suit one's way of playing out of the box. Even though you can replace your harp, you should clean them periodically (3-6 months max depending on how much you play and how you play). Luckily here in Argentina we have some of the best harmonica customizers.

[@bubbanderson]

For plastic comb harps I soak them in Cola and rinse with water. The downside of this approach is that once you realize how effective Cola is at shifting crud you'll never drink the stuff again !

[@MrGaryGG48]

I had a car washing business when I was in high school (MANY decades ago...) and Coke worked very well to remove rust from metal surfaces. A bit of Coke and an energetically applied tooth brush would clean up bumpers to beautiful shine! I didn't drink a lot of Coke after that but I cleaned a lot of cars in high school!!

[@sopascat7]

Someone posted saying they use Listerine to clean the reed plates (it's an Antiseptic - naturally kills germs). I would use Listerine to clean plastic harp combs. Might also use it on wood combs, but gently..... cool interesting video :)

[@ethanrobert45]

Every time I watch a video like this there’s always Some dude in the comments saying “don’t do [exactly what the video says to do]” and I never know what the hell im supposed to do I don’t wanna fuck my harmonica up what the hell

[@yr.t.5220]

@Kobe Chaim yes this is a very legitimate comment!

[@sepultura7771]

Lol I agree so much Did you ever figure out what to use

[@stretchini]

Brilliant. Thanks Steve!

[@LITTLEDANCERSADHU993]

I use the plastic body Lee Oscar Harps, rince em out in hot water,and replace them when out of tune,fitted new reeds in one once and it was like playing a 1 dollar kids harmonica

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

Thanks for the info. Sheesh, my Hohner key of G stamped 11/97 blew a reed. it went totally flat. I took it apart cleaned it and put together perfectly and it's got a sour flat between the 7 and 8.... I'm gonna purchase the Hohner Golden Melody Porgressive. Any thoughts on those?

[@randyclarke1879]

thank you Steve - very helpful

[@frankneil3432]

Try Edgeware Brass soak then a sonic bath for a bright shine.

[@bobcragle8124]

is that a blues harmonica. you are playing so beautiful .!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for that/

[@chhupparustom]

Thank you for the detailed explanation! However, the biggest problem is when reed plate is affixed to the comb by nails. How to remove the reed plate that is nailed to a wooden comb, and attach it back air-tight after cleaning?

[@superfan5598]

You don't take apart the harmonica. You shake out the sliva, tape it on the cloth and take a soft cotton or linen cloth and wipe it down. Don't put it in water. And all harmonicas come with instructions in the case on how to use it and play it. I got a folk master 10 hole diatonic harmonica for easter and it came with a case and instructions

[@blakkneit9779]

Cleanliness ist next to Fordlyness, everyone knows that!

[@ingersollmusicacademy2698]

Super Groovy Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davidkennedy9625]

Add a denture cleaner tablet to the solution and it helps to get the reeds clean

[@ClaytonBloom]

How often should one clean? I was thinking maybe when you notice a change in tone or inability to produce a clear sound.

[@sandeepchoudhari7925]

Very helpful indeed. Thanks for sharing … 👍

[@Podegra]

I just took out my old harmonica that I never played. Should I worry about some dust or something, or I don't need to clean it?

[@vovaotoh]

Thank you.

[@mlalakela426]

With regards, thanks for guiding us for cleaning but at the same time how to clean changer harmonica? Solicit your suggestions.

[@edblakely4157]

I’d like to use hand sanitizer on my harmonica were high Bryce my mouth not water I’m very careful about using water

[@Guitar1Steve]

thanks, useful instructions

[@egonpagh4177]

Steve Baker 669+

[@atvalleau]

Could I use a sonic cleaner on the reed plates and cover plates? I'm referring to these little machines that hold water for the item to cleaned and use high-frequency sound in the water bath to remove dirt and other particles.

[@nateellis1779]

great info. thanks so much. 🙂

[@astrologist174]

Great! Thank-you so much for this :)

[@heartywhistler]

Are you using a specific took kit, like one made by Hohner or Lee Oskar? Are all those tools included in the kit? If you put the set of tools together yourself.. what tools are you using (what screwdrivers specifically) and where did you buy the tools? If I practice for an hour a day, how often do I need to clean my harmonica? I've ordered a Hohner Crossover (I chose that one partly because of your Crossover video here on youtube), and want to figure out how to clean it, and what tools I'll need. Thanks!

[@stuartmack7658]

I just bought a used but good condition hohner blues harp on ebay. Maybe not ideal but was too good a deal to ignore. I'm wondering if it would be safe to soak the reed plate and covers in surgical spirit?

[@sagnikpaul1811]

Using alcohol (over 80% proof) is always a good idea. You can even use sanitizers.

[@ErwinBittlingmaier]

Thank you!

[@patsmith9285]

Thanks

[@devchugani5605]

THANKS nice knowledge

[@valjaliovajusername]

First of all I can't remove the screws on my Marine Band harmonica. When making the video, you should've include all what is necessary to clean the harmonica- starting with what a screwdriver to use. Because the smallest precision tool from my local shop is not even close good for disassembling it...

[@danmaodi3940]

Thanks, but you din't mention daily clean after daily use since the moisture is easily going to the reeds and hole. Thanks!

[@naturalmystique1237]

Ive got skid marks at the corners of my mouth practicing so hard on my chromatic, 1st time i cleaned it out with Qtips, damaged high C reed, it warbles horribly :( ever had this happen to you Mr. Baker?

[@daisyrose9968]

Years ago after I had to begin from scratch at mid-life due to paralysis - as I was developing what is now one of my multiple different styles for playing diatonic harmonicas I actually had my lips bleeding. I eventually found that style works better when playing aluminum comb harmonicas. I do have a variety of chromatic harmonicas but need to talk with some other harmonica players to find out what to put on them so my lips will slide across them easier. A couple of them have a plastic outer cover - others have metal - and my CBH 2016 I have no difficulty with.

[@adamhoffman9965]

Daisy Rose Budd bacon grease. You’re welcome

[@roncaraway5109]

Ketchup with clean the brass reed plates like you would not believe. Just let then sit in the ketchup for 15 minutes, wash them off and you are good to go.

[@kennethsettles5597]

Ketchup is vinegar, acid from the tomato and sugar.

[@pipercdefgabc2005]

Thank you sir.🌹

[@Mr.Crawlyo]

So i got an old 50s german chromatic, im currious as if theres any like diffrent way to clean it

[@ytonaona]

thank you very usefull

[@vme3000]

I was wondering how tight should I screw the holes of my harmonica? I watched one of your cleaning videos and I took my harmonica apart. Now that it is back together, I am wondering if I should tighten the screws all the way until they can't turn any more? Or if I should leave them a bit loose? Please help

[@FurtadosTV]

hello there, thank you for writing in, you can write to [e-mail] for clarity on this query.

[@TJZeplin61]

is there any special tuning for say a pergressive harmonica or country tuning harmonica?? if so can you make a video on tuning these thanks..

[@nickyb2u]

Ugh one of my screw is fell off and I cant find it any recommendation of where to get a new one?

[@pas5294]

nickyb2u any hardware store or supermarket sells screws you know

[@kylegreen357]

Hey my marine band C harp just started doing this after playing fine for like 3 years and its happened with a few others in the past and I ended up buying new ones haha. So are you saying I now just have to change my technique in order to play it? Also I keep it im a holder while I play guitar like neil young so do you have any hands free suggestions?

[@darkesthorse8679]

Can I use this method with tremelo harmonica?

[@lonc101]

Is it safe to soak the reed plates in warm water with the windsavers attached? Better yet the entire harmonica minus the slide and covers? I have a vintage harmonica that has nails NO SCREWS. I don't relish the thought of taking it apart. I did do a general cleaning of the harmonica earlier but afterward the 6th hole blow (E) won't sound? The reeds appear to all be centered and I made a point to plink each read but E will not play?

[@kennethsettles5597]

Replace the nails with tiny screws.

[@andrewz4537]

The wood on the comb tends to expand when you soak the entire instrument and then doesn't shrink back to it's original size. I know b/c I used to do that in the 60s (i.e. before the internet) and sometimes it worked ok other times not so much.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Yes...tiny screws that elves use! I recently did this with an old Hohner 12 hole diatonic Educator 1. Worked a treat. The elves love it.

[@davidslebi801]

Sorry... My english it's Bad... Did You say that we cant use limón juice and...?? I have 1 harminonica, i try to clean with alcohol, but i can't Put in out All the trash in The reed plates! Thank's Regards!

[@syedjunaidhashmi29]

I have cleaned the reeds with iso propyl alcohol and I have had good results without damage.. However I make sure that everything is dry before making contact with mouth.

[@60viking]

U ruined my Hohner cause iy was my first one and it had wood comb. I wonder now ive have a 2nd harmonica but with a plastic comb can i rise it between good cleaning?

[@ReyaadGafur]

Yea probably, plastic doesnt take in water.

[@alexhamilton4084]

I have 2 Hohner "Blues Harps" that desperately need cleaning but the screw slots are so shallow I can't get a screwdriver in to remove them. Any suggestions to get the screws out? HELP!

[@abdul_f1594]

They dont need screwdrivers. You should get them out with a knife maybe . There are videos for the marine band.

[@alexhamilton4084]

Abdulrahman Fatta thank you for your advice. I discovered they are not screws they are tiny nails. 👍🏻

[@lka04]

can i just wash it with water

[@marcelopantoja5375]

Dude,when i opened my harmonica a mini fucking cockroach ran out of it

[@murd_bird]

thank fuck i opened mine and nothing was in it

[@1milomir]

Mine had a grasshopper in it...

[@paullemin6547]

Is that a crossover harp

[@PaulPerryArgentina]

Hello, thanks for the cleaning tips. I have a 20+ year old hohner blues harp in G. I took it apart and noticed it's got rust spots. What can I use to remove; WD40? Also, I read comments below stating not to use vinegar...what about the lemon juice? Thanks again!

[@gfd215]

Use beer

[@boyanghan2402]

感谢分享

[@dilemmix]

So much trouble, can't you just toss the harmonica in soapy water, shake it and rinse under the tap, then let it dry in a warm place?

[@margaretbird5310]

yes, but the wood comb will soon break due to differential expansion :)

[@Critterpig]

I can't disassemble mine

[@jasonhumphries]

where can you buy the cleaning tools from, or kit's.

[@FurtadosTV]

hello there! thank you for contacting us , you can find the cleaning kit here: www.furtadosonline.com/hohner-harmonica-service-kit-instant-workshop-toolkit-mz99831-206922/206922

[@MrStevefry1]

My Hohner Big River only has 2 reed plate screws. Is this correct?

[@Gamper1]

NO throw it in the bin IMMEDIATLEy

[@timedriverable]

What about Seydel steel reeds? Or do you just deal in Hohner?

[@ReyaadGafur]

Use baking soda instead, make it a paste with the water and brush with toothbrush. Rinse and bam, clean.

[@Charlie19501]

Why lemon?

[@spiralarchitect4050]

👍

[@Ferrichrome]

Laughed when you said cleaning the crud😂

[@patrickgragg5602]

I have bought at least 14 Hohner cross harps in the last three years, I keep blowing my 5 draw, why?????????? Do you have any suggestions, My 5 draw usually starts sounding like the 5 blow,HELP!!!!

[@SonofGodly]

I play special 20 and have same problem 5 hole go,s sour. out of tune I could never figure it out.I think all harmonicas are cheaply made and are over priced,The way they last ,I think they should all be 2$ apiece and no more.

[@patrickgragg5602]

SonofGodly lol, I have a 1955 Herb Shriner Harmonica complete with original book, orange case and price tag (35 cents!)

[@SonofGodly]

Patrick Gragg they lasted longer in 50,s and 60 s Try a seydel with stailess steel reeds They last 4 to 5 times longer, and I think you can buy replacement plates for them

[@patrickgragg5602]

I owned a Seydel once, then got divorced and I think she threw it away when she threw away my cowboy hats, but that Seydel was the only one that didn't blow the 5 draw, granted i might have blown it if I still had it, never can tell, I try real hard to be careful

[@SonofGodly]

There is a new hohner called the rocket.Ronnie Shellist does a good review on it on utube.. It is designed after the special 20. I still think if I invest anymore money on a harp it would be one of the stainless steel reeds,because of the reeds lasting longer.

[@yesman3304]

where can i buy that cleaning kit?

[@FurtadosTV]

Hello there!, we do not have this model in stock at the moment , please write to [e-mail] or [e-mail] for detailed information on all your queries. Our customer service team will reply back to you shortly. If you haven't already then kindly check out our website www.furtadosonline.com for options and availability.

[@SinglesEventsMelbourneTV]

Can you please tell me what key the harmonica is when Huge Laurie plays it in this clip? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX26doJ6eZeXotE

[@gabrielemerick2064]

How do I know my harmonica is not clean?

[@sheltonsolutions]

If it's been played it's dirty. I clean mine after about 12 hrs of playing

[@TwoOrdersOfFries]

I went out to a huge cave and it's filled with fucking dirt

[@1milomir]

U wash it after every play sesion with a cloth dumped in a bit of alchohol, u rub the comb and covers with it, and pick a bit of dirt out of the holes with a toothpick, if there is dirt visible, and thats it, takes 2 minutes not more.

[@gerardobaranda8294]

what is water

[@someeggs7367]

Cerna Gerardo agua

[@MrRojito2]

Excelente

[@gerardobaranda8294]

que liquido es

[@mariomolina9395]

agua tibia y vinage o jugo de limón

[@napakamu9670]

Christopher Walken much?

[@danmaodi3940]

?? what do you mean? He doesn't look like Walken at all

[@jaysway4k890]

I just buy a new one because I’m lazy

[@johngeist9705]

Just soak with

[@kevingodding9316]

Buy a new one

[@xdxc1188]

No help

[@sunnyscott4876]

I would just buy a new harmonica ! YUCK!

[@dilemmix]

Me too, it's so much trouble and a bit eeeeewww to clean it out. Harmonicas aren't that expensive.