chromatic slide
Is it possibe to lubricate the slide on a chromatic? If so what lubricant is recommended.
The problem I am having is that the slde does not come all the way out after I release it.
Thanks
Thanks for the thorugh answer. I did previously purchase an ultra sonic cleaner based on your advice. However for this issue I will try some slide oil first.
Let us know what worked for you Vid
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
I got slide oil and used a small amount. It helped a little but not completely. I've disassembled the slide a few times looking for anything obvious, but I don't see anything that would cuase it to be sluggish on the return. The sping is good and it slides easily when it is disassembled. Any suggestions on what I should be looking for?
When I first pick it up in the morning the slide won't move at all. If I force it and slide it back and forth a few times, it will then work okay, but still not great. Is that normal for chromatics, this is my first one?
Hi Vid, can I trouble you to send me pics of your disassembled slide mechanism?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Vid, until I review pics of your slider mechanism, allow me to offer up my thoughts:
Q1: I don't see anything that would cuase it to be sluggish on the return. The sping is good and it slides easily when it is disassembled. Any suggestions on what I should be looking for?
A1: Sluggish typically describes the phenomenom experienced on chromatic harmonica sliders. You see, when we play, saliva will enter the slider mechanism of the mouthpiece and also enter the instrument itself (i.e. comb, reed plates, wind savers). Eventually the proteins (saliva) will mix with other dust particles from the surrounding air, and allow this concoction to form a thin film of gummy scum onto the slider and slider guide/basis plate. This film can safely and easily be removed with your ultrasonic cleaning device. For those who do not have an ultrasonic cleaner, using a toothbrush (not your spouse's or friend's toothbrush--unless you really want to ;o) and light dishsoap or toothpaste to gently remove the film off the slider components. Rinse with purified drinking water.
Q2: When I first pick it up in the morning the slide won't move at all. If I force it and slide it back and forth a few times, it will then work okay, but still not great. Is that normal for chromatics, this is my first one?
A2: Oh yes, it is very common--for the reason described in A1. Try this:
- there should be just enough play in most chromatic sliders, that if you grasp the slider by the button with your thumb and index finger, while holding the instrument firmly with you other hand--then rattle UP/DOWN (not IN/OUT) a few times, it should be enough to breakup the thin film that coagulated on the slider mechanism since the last time you played this harmonica.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Depending on the make and model of the chromatic harmonica, loosening the mouthpiece machine screws (one at a time)--just a tad--can rectify the problem. Loosening the screws too much and you will create an air gap, resulting in a loss of compression--making the harmonica "breathy" sounding.
Some harmonicas are not manufactured with the same level of precision as others. Out of the box, the slider seems alright, but just a little bit of playing could result in the sluggish slider syndrome. The reason is that there simply is not enough clearance for a film coated slider to clear the slider guide/basis plate. Making matters more irritating, the build up of the film is uneven--usually heavier in the middle register, making the slide action "herky-jerky" (not smooth).
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Thanks for the great explantion and advice. I will try thorough cleaning of the invoved parts. I will not use my wife's toothbrush.
I'll let you know the results.
If it doesn't correct the problem I'll send photos.
PS. I am asumming I cannot put the reed plates from a chromatic into the utlrasonic cleaner because it would ruin the wind savers.
Is that correct?
Yes. Big 10-4 on that Vid, unless you "want" to do a wholesale replacement of all your wind savers.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Kinya,
I wanted to let you know that your suggestions worked perfectly. I cleaned the slide and slightly loosedn the slide plate screws and now it works great.
Thanks for your help.
Everyone here is doing high-fives and back hand springs!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Vid, sticking sliders on our chromatic harmonicas is the bane of all Chro Players.
Readers know from previous posts that you were interested in Ultrasonic Cleaners. If you did invest into one, then you would have discovered by now--the satisfaction of having 40,000 bubbles per second clean the Harmonicoccus off metal harmonica parts, ESPECIALLY chromatic harmonica sliders and mouthpieces.
It can be a pain; however, and sometimes you just don’t want the drama-rama of disassembling the mouthpiece mechanism. So what are the alternatives?
When Andy Just and I traveled to Japan--we had the pleasure of visiting Taniguchi Gakki, the largest Harmonica, Accordion, Melodian store in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Here I purchase one small bottle of slider oil. Not knowing at the time, this product was not available in the USA, I wished I had bought an entire case of this magic elixir!
I found, applying just a small amount of the oil at the insertion portion of the slider was effective enough to have me play my horn longer before cleaning the entire slider mechanism.
Although not as good, I found using Trumpet valve oil, or Trombone slider oil to be an alternative. CAUTION, over use will gum up your wind savers--use judiciously!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya