gad wagon
36 posts
Nov 27, 2012
1:49 AM
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Long story short. I have been messing with a few harps. I flattened a reed 1/2 step (7-draw). If I raised it back its original pitch, would it be close to normal in the way it played, sounded, etc, or would it be noticable different?
I know I coul "just do it and find out," but I thought I would add to the litany of posts. :)
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-- "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts" -- C.S. Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/user/gadwagon/videos
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arzajac
900 posts
Nov 27, 2012
3:04 AM
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Is it possible to flatten a reed a half step and then sharpen it back and still have enough brass to manipulate the reed? Yes, absolutely. You may need a little practice to get it right and not screw up the reed, though.
It will play any way you want it to play depending on how you shape the reed.
The next time you want to experiment with tuning variants like this one, you may find it a lot less work to stick a dot of Blu-Tak on the reed tip to drop the pitch. It's quick and easy, works very well, lasts for decades and doesn't cause the tuning to go wonky. It's also fully reversible.
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Last Edited by on Nov 27, 2012 3:05 AM
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Frank
1492 posts
Nov 27, 2012
4:52 AM
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What process did you use to flatten the reed?
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MP
2561 posts
Nov 27, 2012
12:13 PM
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sure! just be careful to remove the brass from the tip end very carefully and very evenly.
i'd use a flat file and be almost liberal with the size of the area i'm removing the brass from. with rotary tools one runs the risk of drilling a hole clear through the reed or notching it.
if not done correctly the reed will sound like a toy
harmonica reed.
cheers, mark
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
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gad wagon
37 posts
Nov 27, 2012
1:20 PM
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arz - I have got to search into this blue stuff. Sounds like a miracle ingredient for harpers.
Frank - I filed a bit down on the rivet end
MP - thanks for the pointers!
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-- "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts" -- C.S. Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/user/gadwagon/videos
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
1417 posts
Nov 27, 2012
1:41 PM
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You may notice one difference. the reed being more responsive.
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David
____________________
At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong.
R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
 
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Oisin
991 posts
Nov 28, 2012
6:22 AM
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Dave ...your answer intrigued me. Why would it be more responsive,,,because it would be thinner? Are we getting close to what the top customisers do with their reeds to make them more responsive?
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Oisin
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gad wagon
38 posts
Nov 28, 2012
8:54 AM
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hum.... fun experiment by a rookie... can't make up mind on whether he wants the reed flat or natural.... more responsiveness.... top customisers....
So you're saying I am a top customizer! Woo Hoo!
(All said in jest and good humor)
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-- "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts" -- C.S. Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/user/gadwagon/videos
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