harpdude61
913 posts
Jul 20, 2011
9:16 AM
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I took the cover plates off of a fairly new stock Golden Melody, had a lamp above and paper beneath, so I could look at the reed gaps on the sides of the draw reeds. You can see the draw reed gaps by looking thru the holes without taking the reedplate and comb apart.
I was impressed at the consistency of the gaps on the sides of the reeds. All reeds look centered and uniform.
But...those gaps look pretty darn big to me!
It just seems that if Hohner has machines that set those reeds so perfectly centered and consistent...why not eliminate at least 1/2 of that gap by narrowing the slot cut in the reedplate?
I know some people emboss to reduce the gap and I'm sure most all customizers do. I just do not have the skills or patience.
Do all brands have the same stock side gaps as Hohner?
Is it a matter of "always has been" or "too costly to remake the slot cutting machine"?
What % reduction of gap occurs when embossing?
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2011 9:18 AM
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harmonicanick
1251 posts
Jul 20, 2011
9:36 AM
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@ harpdude61
Please e mail Richard at Hohner in Germany with your question.
He is very helpful. Details below:
Richard Weiss
Product Manager - Harmonicas
Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG
Andreas-Koch-Straße 9
78647 Trossingen
phone +49 (0) 7425-20 325
mobile +49 (0) 151-42242874
fax +49 (0) 7425-20 444
e-mail rweiss@hohner.de
Internet www.hohner.de
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Greyowlphotoart
670 posts
Jul 20, 2011
9:41 AM
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Before and after pics
Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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harpdude61
914 posts
Jul 20, 2011
1:02 PM
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Great pix Grey owl!
I will e-mail him harmonicanick
Thanks!
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harpwrench
503 posts
Jul 20, 2011
1:34 PM
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Don't quote me, but I think the reeds are installed by humans, not machines.
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arzajac
579 posts
Jul 20, 2011
3:46 PM
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How does the harp play? Embossing changes the sound of the harp and it may not be desirable to emboss for the sake of embossing... Especially if the harp plays fine.
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harpdude61
916 posts
Jul 21, 2011
1:25 AM
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arzajac....it is fine, but this makes it more responsive and better for overbends...correct?
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MrVerylongusername
1761 posts
Jul 21, 2011
2:02 AM
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You can overblow a Golden Melody without needing to emboss. Taking the arc out of the reeds and lowering the gaps has a far greater impact on the response than embossing.
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harpdude61
917 posts
Jul 21, 2011
6:09 AM
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Mr. I can overblow and overdraw just fine on stock GMs that I gap myself.......My suggestion really is more about making a stock harp a little better and closer to a custom.
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HarpNinja
1518 posts
Jul 21, 2011
7:02 AM
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In the 30+ Hohner's I've seen recently - all in blister packs - the reeds have looked great OOTB. Meaning they are very flat with rare exception. All the GM's are gapped higher stock than where I would have them assuming I was only going to gap.
The reason for this is easy...it is so they don't choke easily. When examining other brands, I've seen very flat reeds too. I see the same issue with those harps as well...they generally are gapped too high for overbends. However, most can OB 4-6 pretty well OOTB. Almost no stock harp, other than some low keys, overdraw very well OOTB.
You can gap them to OD, but they tend to still squeal if you try to sustain or bend them like other bends.
IMO, you notice the the advantages of embossing when trying to overblow on the lower keys. This is all assuming you are just looking for a harp that has reeds you can slam shut to get an overbend.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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harpdude61
918 posts
Jul 21, 2011
8:58 AM
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I agree Ninja. I don't think I have ever had a new harp that overdraws like it should...even the Suzuki Firebreath, which is supposedly overbend ready. I had to tighten them up.
I have 4 GMs bought in the last few months that were in blister packs. ..very pleased with these harps.
My original suggestion may not be very good...but doesn't every customizer emboss no matter what key harp and whether the player overbends or not?
@harpninja and harpwrench.......I know to tighten the blow reeds for overblows and the draw reeds for overdraws.....but how critical is the corresponding reed. I have tightened blow reeds on the 7 hole and it seems to help a little with the OD.
A funny thing to me is some of the same key harps overblow better than others.... with a slightly bigger gap. Must be the shape or contour of the reed or something?
Another funny thing..just pulled out my GM in F# and the 10 hole will overdraw OOTB...now if I could only make it sound fat, add some sweet vibrato, and bend it up a couple of steps...lol
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2011 9:01 AM
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