Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Tea Drinking Bird · 2010-01-14 18:30:53

I bought a "new" bamboo shakuhachi on ebay, the seller said he tested it out to see if it's tuned so I know it was used.

I was wondering what is the best way to clean/disinfect the blowing end?

Back in my high school days we would clean the plastic clarinet mouth pieces with a baking powder and water mix, but when I think about it now I don't think it's the best way to disinfect it.

Also I apologize if this thread is misplaced I'm new.

Thanks for your time

Jam · 2010-01-14 19:38:26

I just use those "wet wipes" things to wipe the ends down. How does it play?

Tea Drinking Bird · 2010-01-14 20:04:18

Thanks Jam. I was thinking about cleaning it with a rag soaked with rubbing alcohol but I don't know if that would damage the flute. I have no idea how it plays it hasn't arrived yet, it should come tomorrow.

Glenn Swann · 2010-01-14 22:06:15

sparingly used alcohol (or wipes, which would likely be alcohol-based) should be ok- i've used it to get mold out of fingerholes before, and indeed over a whole flute that got a good molding from sitting in a bag in karuizawa...
i wouldn't worry too much about catching anything, since it must be several days in shipment...

edosan · 2010-01-14 22:46:02

You can even wash it with a mild solution of Chlorox (bleach) if you wish.

It won't hurt a thing, and it's especially effective for the occasional flute that likes to grow a bit of mold
around in the root rhizomes. I use an old toothbrush and a cup of water with a coupla teaspoons of
bleach in it. Scrub on, rinse off. Haven't had to do that in Utah, however.

I agree with Glenn; not much microbial stuff will survive out in the open on dry wood for that long.

Jim Thompson · 2010-01-15 00:46:05

There is a product called sterisol. If you just google it the top choice has it for 3 or 4 bucks. It's a germacide that music stores use to satisfy the health inspectors who come around to monitor mouthpiece swapping hygiene.

Justin · 2010-01-15 09:53:05

Tea Drinking Bird wrote:
Thanks Jam. I was thinking about cleaning it with a rag soaked with rubbing alcohol but I don't know if that would damage the flute. I have no idea how it plays it hasn't arrived yet, it should come tomorrow.

Alcohol would be no problem, but oil will be removed too. Usually we keep shakuhachi a little oiled so after you wash it you could rub a little oil, for example walnut oil or even olive oil, onto the bamboo surface and a minute later wipe it off with a cloth or paper towel or something. This keeps it slightly oiled, which helps stop cracks. This is just for the outside (exposed bamboo surfaces).
Happy playing!

Tea Drinking Bird · 2010-01-15 22:11:15

Thanks everyone these are very helpful tips.

Tairaku 太楽 · 2010-01-15 23:12:31

Tea Tree Oil

Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

#1 2010-01-14 18:30:53

How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

#2 2010-01-14 19:38:26

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

#3 2010-01-14 20:04:18

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

#4 2010-01-14 22:06:15

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

#5 2010-01-14 22:46:02

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

#6 2010-01-15 00:46:05

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

#7 2010-01-15 09:53:05

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

Tea Drinking Bird wrote:

#8 2010-01-15 22:11:15

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

#9 2010-01-15 23:12:31

Re: How do you clean the blowing end of a used shakuhachi?

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