[JoAnnPeeler]

I have a microfiber swab that I run through my neck and mouthpiece 2-3 times after every time I play. Will this eventually change the shape of critical mouthpiece dimensions such that I really shouldn't do that with an ebonite mouthpiece? If so, how long would that take 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, longer? Or is it okay in general to swab your mouthpiece?

 

[Jazzoetry]

I've been using Swabs for years without problems. I am very careful with all my equipment. I only use enough pressure to clean my mouthpieces and neck. If you keep your equipment clean, you don't have to do any hard scrubbing or rubbing.

 

[Benjamin Allen]

It's fine; you're not going to alter the internal dimensions of a hard rubber mouthpiece with a microfiber swab.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I always swab the neck with a pad saver neck swab. For my mouthpiece I just use a Kleenex. It works fine and you can dispose after one use.

 

[jgreiner]

Forgive me JoAnn, but are you honestly serious?

 

[adamk]

Just rub mpc and reed with finger while rinsing.
I run water through neck and shake out water.
I leave all out overnight to dry.

 

[Arundo Donax]

In Physics and Materials Science there are charts for a vast number of minerals, metals, and other substances which describe their abrasion properties and resistance to abrasion.

You could probably swab that mouthpiece for 20 years before even a microscopic change would be evident.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. I always swab out my mouthpiece as I indicated above, but a few days ago there was a discussion of a mouthpiece "wearing out" simply through use. If air passing though the chamber could lead to any internal abrasion I started wondering about swabbing. At this point I'll just keep up my routine.

 

[milandro]

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. I always swab out my mouthpiece as I indicated above, but a few days ago there was a discussion of a mouthpiece "wearing out" simply through use. If air passing though the chamber could lead to any internal abrasion I started wondering about swabbing. At this point I'll just keep up my routine.

I am afraid that the internet is the ideal way to spread rumors, keep doing what you always done, not even a soft brush will do any damage :bluewink:

 

[Grumps]

I do know of one way to damage a mouthpiece by swabbing it, and pretty much every saxophonist learns this the hard way at a young age. When they aren't careful and scratch the heck out of the inside of their mouthpiece using a swab threaded around a wire.

 

[vries1]

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. I always swab out my mouthpiece as I indicated above, but a few days ago there was a discussion of a mouthpiece "wearing out" simply through use. If air passing though the chamber could lead to any internal abrasion I started wondering about swabbing. At this point I'll just keep up my routine.

Air passing through the chamber does not lead to any internal abrasion.

 

[AddictedToSax]

I do know of one way to damage a mouthpiece by swabbing it, and pretty much every saxophonist learns this the hard way at a young age. When they aren't careful and scratch the heck out of the inside of their mouthpiece using a swab threaded around a wire.

Yes. Guilty as charged. I don't think a few light scratches on the inside do any harm, however. Much ado about nothing.