Dear R. Sole,

I must agree with you on the use of lead as a guitar material. It's drawbacks are threefold:

- it may, indeed, cause or aggravate back problems as you describe;

- licking it could indeed be injurious to health over a period of time, this will be especially serious where oxides or other salts have accumulated due to the spillage of beverages on the surface;

- there will, naturally, be problems at the end-of-life disposal phase of the guitar, where there is a possibility of environmental damage. The last point is covered under draft EU legislation if you are a European citizen.

Graphite is a perfectly acceptable substitute as it is formed from non-toxic and environmentally-friendly elemental carbon. The following site extolls the many virtues of graphite as a guitar material:

Why graphite is such a good material for guitars!

I quite agree with Mrs. Sole and there is no point in opening yourself to the road to perdition or in causing marital tension. I recommend that you buy a new harmonica, preferably in the key of A or E, and then pinch it yourself by compression between the jaws of a heavy workbence vice. This will apply the necessary vice in a perfectly legal manner and simulate the "pinched harmonica" effect very well. You may proceed then in your quest as Rock Legend without fear of litigation (at least as regards theft).

I believe this will reassure Mrs Sole and enable you to have your medication to hand in the normal manner in your bathroom cabinet.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Guitar