Give your melodica a bath!

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 22 total)
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  • #5864
    Alan Brinton
    Participant

    We have discussed flushing melodicas with water, submerging melodicas in water or in water/vinegar or other solutions, even running one through the dishwasher. But here is as easy refresher for almost any melodica or keyboard harmonica that does not have wooden parts. Simply submerge your melodica in warm water, working the keys and spit button to get all air out, and leave it there for 4-5 hours, shaking it around occasionally and then again before you take it out. After you take it out, work all keys and the spit valve until quite a bit of water has been exprelled and the notes are all or almost all sounding at least roughly. Swing the melodica around a few times for good measure, and then stand it on end overnight.

    Chances are that you will see some particles or debris when you are done at the sink. Chances are that after playing any remaining moisture out in the morning, you will find that the keys work more freely. If there was an odor problem, it will be gone or at least diminished. This is especially effective with an older vintage instrument with sticking keys, but it can also make a noticeable difference with a heavily used relatively new melodica. There’s more to do about odors or persistently sticky keys, but a good Saturday night bath can work wonders.

    Older vintage melodicas for which this cannot be recommended would include the Hohner Professional 36, the Hohner Piano 36, Claviettas and other 1960s-70s Italian models, the Bohema I’m sure, and in general very old melodicas whose gaskets may be in the process of decomposition. Melodicas are designed to handle moisture, but failing gaskets are vulnerable to it, more or less depending on the material.

    #9840
    Joanna Funk
    Participant

    Hello, newbie here. I’ve had a Suzuki Pro 37 for ten years and recently bought a Hammond pro 44H (after asking advice from MM via Monsters FB. Thank you MM ?)

    Is it safe to give the Hammond 44 a bath, cos it has an output jack? Is it safe to get those things wet (providing they’re completely dry before connecting to anything..)

    TQ, and so happy to be part of your community. Will upload something soon. The 44H arrived last week!!!

    #9841
    Alan Brinton
    Participant

    I’m not sure about the output jack, but usually it is older melodicas, especially vintage models that need a bath. Your ten year old Pro 37 could possibly benefit from one if keys are sticky, for example, but it’s not likely that the Hammond would need it in the foreseeable future.

    #9842
    Joanna Funk
    Participant

    Hi Alan. Yes, the question is a bit premature fur the Hammond ?. I just wanted to know. I’ll give the Suzuki a wash, and I also have a Yamaha 32 key, the light blue one, which is a few years older. That was my first. Bathtime for them both then. TQ again. Joanna.

    #9845
    Melodica-Me
    Participant

    Hello Joanna, I do not recommend giving the 44HP a bath, it may corode the pick ups and contacts not to mention the electronics in the volume control preamp. 🙂
    Melodica-Me

    #9846
    Joanna Funk
    Participant

    Hi MM! Thank you for the advice. Yes I had a vague idea that might be the case, but wanted it confirmed by a pro. And you did!

    I won’t need to clean the 44H for a while, but will get the screwdriver out when it needs.

    It’s so lovely!

    #9849
    Daren
    Keymaster

    Joanna, if you’re careful, you can use a funnel to pour water/vinegar, or some other solution directly into the mouthpiece channel. Give it a shake, and then pour it back out. That way, it won’t touch any of the electronics. Definitely worth cleaning out your melodicas regularly for health reasons…

    “[Musicians] need to be aware that there are risks that instruments can become colonised with mould and fungi and this can be related to serious and potentially fatal lung disease,” said Dr Jenny King, first author of the study, of North Manchester general hospital.

    #9850
    Joanna Funk
    Participant

    Hi Daren. Pouring in liquid sounds a bit scary! Maybe I’ll just have to learn how to do it.

    I read that post about the danger of fungi and mould, and the importance of hygiene.

    Does anyone open up their Hammond 44H, to clean the relevant parts while keeping the electric bits dry?

    Thank you for your advice Daren ?

    #9860
    Joanna Funk
    Participant

    First bath! After 10 and 12 years.

    https://joannafunk.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/img_20180507_073924.jpg

    Thanks guys.

    #10315
    Francis Valerio
    Participant

    Hi Joanna! I have an Hammond 44 and I have learned with my experience with the Melodicas (at least for me) that is very necessary open the instrument ever after playing, because there a lot of moisture on the reeds that is necessary clean. I clean it carefully with a towel.

    Regards.

    #10317
    Joanna Funk
    Participant

    Hi Francis, and thank you for the advice. Looks like I’ll have to get into the habit of opening up my Hammond, unless trying Daren’s suggestion to carefully pour a little water inside to rinse it out. ?

    #10319
    Alan Brinton
    Participant

    There is moisture on and around the reeds after playing, especially after extended playing, but I’m curious about why you feel the need to clean it or dry the reeds off after playing, Francis. This is normal with a melodica. The moisture is from condensation and does not soil the inside of the instrument. Occasionally there’s reason to take a melodica apart and/or give it a bath. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to be taking the melodica apart frequently (especially an expensive one such as the Hammond) or to be running water through it on a regular basis. When you open it after playing, there’s a temptation to wipe off the reeds, but I don’t think there’s any reason to do so unless you’re tuning it. My opinion; others may disagree.

    #10320
    Francis Valerio
    Participant

    The answer is very simple. At least that’s how it happened to me.

    I had a Hohner Student 32. I never cleaned it after playing, until one day it horribly tuned out. It was when I opened it, and I noticed with horror that the reeds were green with rust.

    Some time later, I bought a Superforce 37 Hohner, but this time I always opened it after playing. To this day it works like the first day.

    This is the reason, I understand that for some it is strange, but it works for me.

    regards

    #10321
    Alan Brinton
    Participant

    Hey, Francis, do what works for you. But I don’t think reeds of the Hammond will rust. Or of a Yamaha or high end Suzuki. Not sure about the recent Hohners. These models all have phosphor bronze reeds.

    #10322
    Francis Valerio
    Participant

    Sure! I will do it! This works for me! I do it for hygienic reasons too, like clean the mouthpiece and the keyboard with alcohol, and avoid bad odours and the fungus proliferation.

    Regards

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