Re Tootler's "In fact I believe some of the old blues players used to soak their Marine bands in water before playing as they said it made them play better. I think that the soaking made the wooden body swell and sealed the reed plate properly so there was less air leakage."

I often give my wooden bodied Blues Harps and Marine Bands a quick splosh in water before playing. It does, indeed, make them sound "better" - not only fuller toned but also more fluid (no pun intended!) I can't believe it's anything to do with making the wood swell since the quick splosh is so quick (in my case).

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Hamish