pistolero
108 posts
Mar 27, 2011
10:15 AM
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Well, I picked up a Blues Harp in Bb some weeks back. I was frankly less than impressed with it. It's my first and only wooden comb so far. Sharp edges between holes and the low holes were leaky. 2 & 3 draw seemed like they would hardly sound and took lots more air than they shoulda.
Yesterday I took it apart, sanded the comb flat, very slightly rounded the edges of the tines where yer lips touch it. 3 coats of shellac. Put it back together with a little gapping work on the draw reeds.
Sounds good and plays so much easier! I was hoping, but not really expecting for it to work so well on my first try but it did.
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It's MUSIC, not just complicated noise.
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eharp
1241 posts
Mar 27, 2011
10:33 AM
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that's great.
i got a set of blue steels i am contemplating doing some reed work on. if i screw up, it aint no big loss.
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Fingers
13 posts
Mar 27, 2011
11:52 AM
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Glad it all worked out!! did the same to 4 MBs but used butchers block oil!! worked a treat! tastes like sh.. LOL going to buy a Suzuki pro-master see if it is any better.
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Seven.Oh.Three.
10 posts
Mar 27, 2011
11:59 AM
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@ fingers- I'm getting ready to do the same to my MB's but plan on practicing on a few blues harp ms's. I just got some butchers block oil today. I have a few questions for ya: did you soak the comb or brush it on? How long did you let it soak? How long to dry?
Thanks,
703
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Fingers
14 posts
Mar 27, 2011
12:11 PM
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@703 i cleaned combs of all debris first, then dipped each comb for 2 minutes cleaned off surplus oil with kitchen roll and left to dry for 6 hours i did this 3 times! then reassembled! you could tell the difference instantly i am hoping the taste wears off in time lol, well worth the effort good luck. Fingers.
Last Edited by on Mar 27, 2011 12:13 PM
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pistolero
110 posts
Mar 27, 2011
12:15 PM
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I used Bull's Eye Shellac in the spray can. Do the flat sanding and reprofiling first.
Sprayed the first coat on and brushed it in, let it dry an hour. Sanded very lightly between coats with 400 grit wet/dry. 3 coats total. Hour and a half after the last coat I started putting it back together, but this stuff dries pretty fast, I'd be more patient depending on what you use, humidity/temp, etc. The first couple coats basically soak in right away the wood drinks it up. I've never used butcher block oil and this was the first time with shellac. I have had experience wood finishing, made cabinets for a living for a couple years but we always used polyurethane.
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It's MUSIC, not just complicated noise.
Last Edited by on Mar 27, 2011 12:17 PM
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Seven.Oh.Three.
11 posts
Mar 27, 2011
12:48 PM
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I read in another post somewhere to let them soak in butchers block oil for almost a week. I guess that's too much time?
I only want to do this once.....
703
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Fingers
15 posts
Mar 27, 2011
1:34 PM
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@703 check out u tube it is all on there!! i think the wood soaks it up pretty quick!! worked for me mate.
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Seven.Oh.Three.
12 posts
Mar 27, 2011
1:52 PM
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Thanks guys. Hope I have equally good results. I'm planning on first drilling them for bolts first. Then sealing a few combs at a time. Might be a week before I get to sealing 'em.
Thanks again
703
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