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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Low harp gapping.
Low harp gapping.
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Fingers
236 posts
Jun 22, 2018
10:19 AM
Hi all! I recently got a Seydel 1847 low C!
I have noticed that the 4 and 5 blow notes choke if I start a run on them,
I have opened the gaps and still no difference, but if I am playing a song and hit these notes they play fine!!...
I realize low harps take a more subtle attack but all other notes play fine,
I have noticed that the first 6 holes are valved I'm wondering if removing them from 4 5 and 6 will help?
Any ideas much appreciated.

Regards, Fingers.
nacoran
9882 posts
Jun 22, 2018
2:18 PM
This probably isn't the problem, since the 4-5 notes on a low C aren't really that low, but one thing I remember reading, way, way back, about low harps is to store them on their backs. It's only ever been an issue for me on my LLF, and only on the 1 draw. The weight on the end of the reed can sometimes pull the reed out of alignment a tiny bit. Sometimes the 1 reed will stick. It will usually resolve itself I play
I get the air moving a bit by playing the 1 blow first, or if I whack my harp against my leg (but only temporarily, it seems to have to do with the reed already being vibrating a bit.)

So, like I said, that may be a long shot, but check the reeds alignment. I don't hear any buzzing like a normal misalignment would when it does start playing, but it may be that it is just barely touching.



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SuperBee
5449 posts
Jun 22, 2018
5:12 PM
Seydel harps with steel reeds are a little more prone to misaligned reeds in my experience. The low harps are even more susceptible as Nacoran noted. The weighted reeds are very thick and need to be very well-aligned to make it through the slot without touching. Any twist in the reed can cause a rattle.
That may not be the problem though.
Another fairly prevalent condition in these harps is the reed which does a belly flop into the slot. These will appear to have a good offset at the free end but if observed as they enter the slot it can be seen that the tip is going through later than the rest of the reed.
Such reeds are effectively set much closer than is indicated by the apparent offset at the tip. Lifting the tip higher is not a good approach because it creates a very airy reed with a weak sound.
The solution is to straighten the reed with appropriate pressure and counter-pressure but this can be easier said than done on a low-tuned steel reed harp. Patience is definitely a virtue when tackling the task.

Sometimes people set harps up like this deliberately in order to play overbends, but I’m dubious this would be the case here.
AppalachiaBlues
187 posts
Jun 24, 2018
6:21 AM
@Fingers -- out of curiosity: do you have the bigger "Low Tone / Bold Body" model of an 1847 (Noble or Classic), or is it the older Low C model, which is still sold in the 1847 Silver lineup?

Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Jun 24, 2018 6:56 AM
Fingers
237 posts
Jun 24, 2018
9:44 AM
@ Narcoran and Superbee, thanks for the input! I'm not really sure what is happening I'm beginning to think it's the way I hit the notes!! if I open my nasal cavity they play ok which would make me think I'm using too much pressure but I tried pinching my nose and they played ok too! It's almost as if I'm overthinking it,
In 30 years of playing I've never known it happen before and I've always gapped and tested each hole individually!!.

@ AppalachiaBlues,yes it's the Low tone Bold 1847 classic!..it's a fair bit thicker than a standard harp..... maybe it's my playing style that's the problem.

Last Edited by Fingers on Jun 24, 2018 9:45 AM


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