Kaining
32 posts
Apr 19, 2014
3:53 AM
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There have been a few very informative topics over the last few days talking about a lot of very specifics topic concerning harps making and harps enhancement.
I didn't realised that a few people here working in the business of customised harps actually have experience and some skills working with brass.
And when someone speaks about brass and harps, i may be weird but i don't jump immediatly to combs, i just ask myself "isn't it the thing that reed plates are made off ?"
So i have one question: what sort of knowledge should some nobody that can at best scew a few loose screw seeks in order to start experimenting with reed plates ? ... in his bedroom/basement.
I ain't asking some super secret trade secret, just where would someone point his finger to show the way to a complete noob who would want to try piercing a few holes, slicing in two (or three of four) of even gluing 2 reeds plates together to make a 16 and a half* diatonic harp reed plates.
I got a few idea i'd like to try on reed plates but i don't think i can go that far with just a screwdriver and some razor blade i used to tune my reeds.
Also, even if there isn't much to say about what i just asked, on another but closely related topic: is anybody experimenting with reedplates in order to meke them better ?
*because why shoudln't we try 16 and a half holes diatonic harps ?
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arzajac
1350 posts
Apr 19, 2014
4:34 AM
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Not exactly what you are asking but it gets the job done.
Some history and information about Brendan Power. He created and used 11-hole harps in the 80s... Interesting photos and great ideas!
http://www.brendan-power.com/harpgeeks.php#geeks2
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
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jbone
1594 posts
Apr 19, 2014
10:24 AM
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Kaining, I am no harp builder. I rarely even retune a reed since by the time I notice one going flat it's already too late! Some years ago I was experimenting with sealing wood combs and making my haprs more air tight. This was good but my reeds would then last a shorter time. I modified my playing some and it helped, but it got me thinking about brass as well.
Suzuki imho is ahead of some other makers in that they designed and built an excellent out of box harp in the Manji model. Some don't like them but I do. One big improvement was the way they aligned the reeds on the slots and the fact that they braised them on instead of using rivets or screws. The Manji reeds are set for the life of the harp and cannot be misaligned. I think the actual recipe for the brass they use is different as well but I may be mistaken there.
As far as adding holes, that's not for me. I have enough trouble doing justice to my 10 hole diatonics and 12 hole chromatics! I wish you success though.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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Kaining
33 posts
Apr 19, 2014
12:13 PM
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@arzajac: oh yeah, i saw that post yesterday...but paid more attention to the blu-tak than to the sawed off reed plates. Silly me.
The first pic seems like a really rough job, the second one appears more clean. Still nice for some 30 years old works.
I'd be worried about air leaks with reed plates sawed but not soldered.
@ jbone: i don't know what they do at suzuki but they sure work on the reed and reedplates. I got an olive last year and tried to tune it to a country tuning on the middle octave.
I couldn't file that 5 draw reed. I had to resort to a razor blade to actually cut some.
But you raise a fine point, if i want to experiment on reed plates, i may have to buy some reed plates from a bunch of manufacturer to see what is what.
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