saltyd
5 posts
Jul 24, 2011
11:05 PM
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I have a two harps that have reeds that just seem stiff and rattly. I don't know if it's from age or I just play too hard or what. The first is a Marine Band, and it's pretty old. But the other one is a Suzuki Bluesmaster that's only a few years old, and I don't play it very heavily.
Is there a way you can change reeds on a harmonica, or do you just have to buy a whole new reed plate? And is the cost of a new plate worth it? I've never really repaired any of my harmonicas before.
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oldwailer
1669 posts
Jul 25, 2011
12:07 AM
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Yes and no--on the MB it can be done--but it's a fairly advanced thing to do. On the Suzuki, the reeds are welded on--some customizers can do it--but you might be money ahead to just get a new plate.
Unfortunately, plates cost almost as much as harps. . .
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dukeofwail
30 posts
Jul 25, 2011
12:12 AM
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Hello SaltyD,
I'm happy to weigh in on this one early.
You'll probably get a lot of good replies in the next few days for your question, meantime I can offer a perspective (of success) from one who just learned how to change reeds. And I learned a lot of it from this forum. (Search the archives)
From practicing on old Hohner plates, I found I was rapidly successful tapping out rivets of the donor plate, and relocating to the needy plate.
But since I play all Lee Oskar harps, a different solution was needed. I ordered tiny nuts and bolts (which some call screws)to attach the replaced reed.
Plan on getting some good practice swapping reeds on old plates. You'll learn and make your mistakes where it won't matter, and be ready for the reed swap that DOES matter.
I tuned up an A PowerBender using the nut/bolt method, and solder on other reeds to lower the pitch.
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Robert Hale
Learn Harmonica via Webcam
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http://www.dukeofwail.com
DUKEofWAIL YouTube
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saltyd
6 posts
Jul 25, 2011
12:33 AM
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Yeah, I just looked at the price of reed plates on the Hohner website. It doesn't list any reed plates for Marine Band, as far as I can tell, in that PDF guide that has all their prices...But I looked at some of the other plates, and how is it that reed plates go for $25 and a new harp that fits it goes for $30? I don't see what the advantage would be of ever changing your own reeds. Then again, I don't want to have to buy a new harp every time I bust a reed.
Also, I've seen a lot of Youtube videos with people changing a single reed, instead of swapping a reed plate. But do they even sell single reeds?
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dukeofwail
33 posts
Jul 25, 2011
12:38 AM
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I've seen messages that indicate Hohner reeds are for sale, but many of us rob reeds from an otherwise useless plate.
As for cost, I'd rather keep my harps and the custom work I've done on them, and swap a reed, rather than change out the reed plate.
The more you play, the more you become intrigued with customizing. In time, you'll come on over to the side that's doing reeds and other personalizing.
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Robert Hale
Learn Harmonica via Webcam
Low Rates, High Results
http://www.dukeofwail.com
DUKEofWAIL YouTube
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nacoran
4368 posts
Jul 25, 2011
1:28 AM
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Saltyd, they do sell individual reeds, although I seem to remember there was a back-order issue going on the last time someone inquired. They are a couple bucks or so. There is a number service number buried on there site somewhere but you'll probably find it faster with the forum search (I'd give a look but it's almost 4:30 am.)
I think most people just steel them from another harp though. You can buy used harps on ebay at a pretty decent discount. A couple of the customizers will replace reeds at pretty good prices (less than the cost of a new reed plate at least). A lot of players save broken harps just for that purpose.
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arzajac
587 posts
Jul 25, 2011
3:07 AM
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"I have a two harps that have reeds that just seem stiff and rattly."
Stiff and rattly - sounds like me!
I don't know if these reeds need to be changed. A failed reed will quickly drop in pitch. As soon as you tune it, it drops right back down until it breaks off. A reed that becomes rattly all of a sudden may mean something different.
Have you tried to adjust these reeds? The Hohner harp's reed may just be out of alignment. You should be able to "scootch" it back using a shim or even just your fingers (be gentle). It may also just be debris.
A "stiff" reed can mean many things. Maybe the gap is too open? Sometimes, that can make it squeal when you bend it.
What are the details about these reeds?
If you buy a harp and a reed is stiff and rattly, it may have come that way from the manufacturer and changing it out may be the quickest solution, but it's not your only option. But you seem to imply that these are older harps and this problem is new...
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Last Edited by on Jul 25, 2011 3:08 AM
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groyster1
1212 posts
Jul 25, 2011
6:10 AM
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changing reedplates may or not be cost effective-with sp20s the new reedplate is $10.00 less than a new sp20 but some other reedplates are just too close in cost to the price of a brand new harp
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