Oso
14 posts
Apr 04, 2011
7:20 AM
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Hello everyone, I have been away for a long time now and just started to get back in the harmonica. I was doing great at this before my divorce (goin on 2 years now). And really missed learning to play the harp, so I am back now and ready to get back in the saddle.
The site looks great!! It seems to have a lot more members these days and thats a good thing!!
Anyway, I have a few issues and have some questions for you folks. I have Buddha harp GM and it seems to be out of tune? I guess not using them for a time they will go out of tune? Is this correct? I am wanting to get a Sjoeberg comb for it, I would imagine it would have had to be retuned once I put the comb anyway? Is this thinking correct?
I have 5 Suzuki Pro Master valved harps as well and am gonna get in on the Manji just have not done so yet. So will have some harps to play until I figure out what to do with my GM.
Boy starting over is exactly that for me? Its like I never tried to play one before? I am still in my beginnig stages so please take it easy on me.
Thanks in advance and I am glad to be back in the woodshed!!
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DeakHarp
285 posts
Apr 04, 2011
7:53 AM
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call me oso i might be able to help ya get that harp running again ....217-218-2124
Deak Harp
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Have Harp Will Travel
www.deakharp.com
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RT123
129 posts
Apr 04, 2011
8:18 AM
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would you be willing to trade the Buddha GM for some Manjis?
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Oso
15 posts
Apr 04, 2011
8:59 PM
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Deak will do, thanks!!
Sorry RT123 I will be keeping it. Unless you have a bunch of Manjis!! Lol
Last Edited by on Apr 05, 2011 7:45 AM
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Oso
16 posts
Apr 05, 2011
7:44 AM
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Deak call made, left message.
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Oso
17 posts
Apr 08, 2011
7:07 AM
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Deak, I called the number you provided and it belongs to a girl? I left a message anyway cause its the number you provided but I did not get a call back?
I fixed it, I just cleaned it as it had some dust/lint in and around the reeds. When Buddha did it he put beeswax? on the reeds and it acted as an atractant.
Thanks I guess? for the offer though.
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hvyj
1353 posts
Apr 08, 2011
8:20 AM
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@Oso: I put Sjoeberg combs on 3 of my GM Buddha harps and there was no re-tuning necessary. The Sjoeberg combs have a slight tonal difference and a somewhat different "feel" when you play them, but they have absolutely no affect on the tuning of the harmonica.
Because custom harps have tighter tolerances, they can stick or jam if there are foreign particles on the reed plates. This happens to OOB harps, too but custom harps are a little more susceptible due to the tighter tolerances.
Last Edited by on Apr 08, 2011 8:20 AM
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HarpNinja
1313 posts
Apr 08, 2011
8:38 AM
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Oso,
I studied with Chris amongst others and am the current retailer for Sjoeberg combs. I can also help you keep the effects of the bees wax without needing beeswax if that makes sense. If this was an overblow/draw harp, there are a number of factors to consider, even in retuning and cleaning, that need to be examined to ensure the harp stays awesome. If there is nail polish on the rivets that can change the harp over time too and isn't always as simple as reapplying...in fact, my general recommendation is to modify the harp so it doesn't need those foreign substances.
While many of the things that make a great ob harp will make any harp play "better", there is a little more wiggle room regarding tolerances.
I've had three Buddha harps (different owners) recently that suffered the "getting stuck" problem and all three are related to gunk in the reeds as a result of things like wax, gel, or nail polish. Some of that is from user error - either not carefully cleaning them, storing them incorrectly, etc - and some is from general wear and the fact that things like wax change consistency over time.
Yes, the tuning can drift with a different comb depending on a couple of factors. That doesn't mean it always happens, but it could happen.
How the reeds are tuned can also change how it plays in some very limited instances because of how Chris made modifications to the actual reeds. I doubt in most cases anyone, including myself, would notice a shift in playability, BUT if the reed needs to be lowered in pitch it is more likely to create an issue on an ob harp. There is also the topic of reed fatique and how to combat some of that.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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Oso
20 posts
Apr 10, 2011
1:36 PM
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hvyj, thanks for the info.
HarpNinja, thanks for the info. Chris and I talked a lot over the phone and had a few skype sessions with him, he was a graet person!! Course by the comments I have read on here a lot of other folks didnt have the same fuzzy fellings I have towards Chris, but I guess thats why we are all different.
Anyway, I had thought the harp had been ruined or so far out of tune I would have to send it to someone else to get it retuned and then it would not be a true Buddha Harp anymore, (at least in my eyes). Chris had taught me a lot about fine tuning my own harps and shortly after that I went thru my divorce and lost track of many things. I am just glad I recorded it all and still have it to fall back on.
I will need to get a tuner soon cause my ear is not what it used to be. I have some GM's I have been tinkering with and will be in contact with you soon HarpNinja for some combs.
Thanks again fellas.
Last Edited by on Apr 10, 2011 1:37 PM
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