tookatooka
2358 posts
May 20, 2011
6:29 AM
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Decent magnifying glass and thin shim. Sounds like a little burr needs clearing away.
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oldwailer
1615 posts
May 20, 2011
10:20 AM
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The problem is most likely in the 2 blow reed--just sayin'. . .
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Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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arzajac
517 posts
May 20, 2011
10:23 AM
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If it's the draw bend, then the *blow* reed is the culprit. Here's what I would do:
Get a thin shim. I can buy a set of metal shims for a few dollars and I would use the thinnest one. If that's not available, you can cut open a magnetic tag from a DVD like this:
Inside is a very thin shim.
I would remove the reedplates and I would slide that shim back and forth along both edges of the 2 blow reed. One edge of the reedplate (not the reed) may catch if there is a burr and sliding it back and forth a few times will solve the problem. If one side is tighter than the other (try positioning the shim so that it is perfectly perpendicular to the reedplate to get an idea of the tolerance/space between reed and reewdplate) you may use the shim to "scootch" the reed away to the other side.
You may find the thin shim a little too thin for this. You can also gently use your fingers to do this too but be gentle - Ten small nudges are better than one nudge that is too hard and either swings the reed too far or bends it!
Put the reedplate back on and try to get the reed to buzz. If the sound is gone, put the crews back and try again. If it's still gone, you are done.
I hope this helps.
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groyster1
1050 posts
May 20, 2011
11:41 AM
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thanks arzajac Ill give it a shot
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harpwrench
473 posts
May 20, 2011
11:53 AM
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If it's a ringing/squealing overtone at the "floor" of the 2 draw bend, it's the draw reed that squeals. Tightening the blow reed gap will help. Wax in the corners of the draw reed at the base will help dampen the overtone resonance sometimes. Adjusting your technique may help, if you can bend to the lowest accurate pitch instead of the lowest available pitch (which is much flatter than the lowest named bent note, relative to a keyboard). In my situation it's quickest and best to just knock the squealer out and put a good reed in. The recently improved reed profiles from Hohner seem to have addressed this issue which was very common in harps made 2-5 years ago, especially A's and Bb's.
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chromaticblues
845 posts
May 21, 2011
6:33 AM
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@ groyster Listen to the MAN. He knows what he's talking about. Harpwrenchs last sentance is the one reason I don't work on used harps anymore. The new ones are better! His third sentence is obsolutly true also and works very well.
There should be a flashing right light on that post. Theres soo much stuff between the lines. Everyone working on your own harps. Print that out and think about it!
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Pluto
150 posts
May 21, 2011
7:40 AM
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harpwrench-
Would you ever consider putting on a workshop? I remember almost convincing Chris to put on one, but then he left us.
I think you could impart with some of your experience without compromising your business.
Pluto--
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groyster1
1051 posts
May 21, 2011
8:22 AM
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this sp20 is in d flat and was the last one I bought less than a year ago I have found sp20s to be very reliable more so than any other hohner lee oskars are very durable but sp20 is a much better sounding harp
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chromaticblues
848 posts
May 21, 2011
9:15 AM
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groyster depending on where you bought it. It could be 3 or 4 years old. Its hard to say. Is there a deep diagonal tuning mark at the rivet end of either the 2 draw or the 2 blow reed? Also take it apart and hold each reedplate up to a light. Look to see if one of the 2 hole reeds is to close to the slot on one side.
Those are the first two things I would do if I was working on it. I told you I wouldn't work on your old harps. I never said I wouldn't help! Your more than welcome to Email me with questions.
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groyster1
1052 posts
May 21, 2011
10:13 AM
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thanks kevin
appreciate your help this forum has been extremely valuable to me-I do have 7 harps in a case that play very well especially the crossover you rebuilt for me will contact you in the future with questions I actually bought the Db from rockinron
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harpwrench
474 posts
May 21, 2011
11:12 AM
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@ Pluto
I'd like to but my day job, family and harp work doesn't leave any extra time. Thinking about a book though. Even that's a lot easier said than done:)
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groyster1
1053 posts
May 22, 2011
11:58 AM
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I tried what arzajac very well explained-rockinron offers replacement reedplates for sp20s for $22.00 this may be a good alternative for someone like me who is not a skilled harp mechanic-this would be the first reeplate replacement for me
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chromaticblues
852 posts
May 22, 2011
2:52 PM
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@groyster if that doesn't go well. MP could probably help you!
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groyster1
1054 posts
May 22, 2011
10:51 PM
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harpwrench says the quickest and best thing to do is replace the bad reed so replacing the reedplate seems like the thing to do for me
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chromaticblues
853 posts
May 23, 2011
6:27 AM
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@groyster remember the new reedplate your getting is made by the same company that made the one that is in there now. I like the new harps much more than anyhting they have made, but that doesn't mean its going to be perfect or even good. It could be worse than what you have. Thats why I said MP might be able to help you! He can replace the reed and make the harp is useable. I use to buy replacemant reedplates for Hohner CX12's and sometimes the plates I got were worse than the one I was replacing.
Just thought I'd shed some light on the other side of the coin for you.
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groyster1
1056 posts
May 23, 2011
11:26 AM
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@chromatic
you are very right rockinron said hohner does not warranty the reedplates so Im taking a chance that the new one will be good but at least I have the proper tool to change it out
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groyster1
1064 posts
May 25, 2011
12:31 PM
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I have come to a successful conclusion to my problem as I got the replacement reedplates from rockinron,changed them out and the dflat special 20 now plays great what I dont understand is why hohner does not warranty the reedplates-I examined the old reedplates and could not find anything out of the ordinary if anybody out there wants them let me know they are yours for free
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chromaticblues
865 posts
May 26, 2011
6:20 AM
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@groyster. I'll take the reedplates that you were having problems with. I don't have a Db right now.
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groyster1
1068 posts
May 26, 2011
6:31 AM
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@chromatic
mark prados beat you to them otherwise I would send them to you I will never throw any harp parts away knowing somebody can benefit from them Im really happy the replacement reedplates were good rockinron is great to deal with and for 22.00 it might have been the most economical way for me
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chromaticblues
866 posts
May 26, 2011
6:37 AM
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Damn! Gotta be quick round these parts!
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arzajac
520 posts
May 26, 2011
7:17 AM
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I know. I didn't even try...
MP - Please let us know what the diagnosis is.
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tookatooka
2360 posts
May 26, 2011
7:17 AM
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Anyone want to trade your new Sp20 reedplates for my new Delta Frost reedplates? See the 2011 sales thread if you want to know more. Europe only, sorry.
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MP
1677 posts
May 26, 2011
1:41 PM
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hey chro and arazajac, i'm surprised i was first. george just told me. it's not the first time groyster gave away stuff and i missed it. don't worry chro you got a 260 in G comming your way.
i'll let you know what the problem is. i'm guessing
it is tuning gouges or just a lemon reed. who knows? when i run into a problem like this i tend to just replace the reed cuz it only takes me a minute or two; and 2 draws are plentiful 'round these parts.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Mojokane
396 posts
May 27, 2011
3:01 AM
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hey! MP, I got some more '2 draws' for ya...juz kiddin.
I do have some harps in need of your magic. May I bring them bye soon?
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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MP
1679 posts
May 27, 2011
10:55 AM
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ahoy mojo! there you are you cheeky little monkey.
dude! you sounded great at donnas party and she wanted to thank you, so, i'm thanking you now. we wound up with a mess of food and beer.
sure, bring me your sick and wounded. i still have to build you a nice F. will start today on it.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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chromaticblues
870 posts
May 27, 2011
1:57 PM
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MP when I drink to much and stare into the sun I get this buzzing in my head. Do you think you can fix that?
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MP
1682 posts
May 27, 2011
3:01 PM
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i dunno, is it intermitent? don't throw it away and buy a new one. lemme think about it.
does the buzzing bother other people?
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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MP
1691 posts
May 31, 2011
9:20 PM
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hey groyster et all.
received the Db plates today. seriously deep tuning gouges near the base of the #2 draw. they are in a cluster. just plinking the reed i can hear distortion. i put them on a comb and the noise is gawd-awful on the bend. there are at least 12 reeds where they went ham-handed on the tuning.
so, that two draw is a lemon. i'll just pop it out.
as an aside. i really like the close tolerances in the reed slots.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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arzajac
524 posts
Jun 01, 2011
7:23 AM
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Thank you Doctor.
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