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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
coverplate screws
coverplate screws
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silpakorn
83 posts
Aug 02, 2011
9:34 AM
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I was always believed that for coverplate screws using 2 or 4 doesn't make any different - just a personal thing until today that, by accident, after I took the harp apart when assemble it I put it together with 2 front screws first and try to blow it and it wasn't the same harp ! It played so much better and the bends are easier ! I can't quite believe it and not sure why. This one is a custom MB in D which I've been feeling that it's quite a stiff one, probably too airtight - not sure if that could ever happen. I was always have to fight with this one in a way that I can't relax my embrosure too much to play it. It always needs a certain shape of mouth/tongue and certain amount of air for a certain note but I was thinking it must be because it's a high harp and that's how it's supposed to be, besides, it's already customized.. what can be wrong with it. I was always a little bit disappointed with this one because I generally believe that you should always be able to relax your mouth when play harp doesn't matter what key the it is once you get the basic/technique down, this harp almost convinced me that I was wrong until today that I took it apart and put the coverplate together back using 2 front screws and it turned out great the way I was expected it to be the day that I ordered it ! Anybody have any explanation for this ? I simply don't see how taking 2 back coverplate screws off can make such a hugh different, educate me !
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Baker
145 posts
Aug 02, 2011
9:59 AM
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I'm still not entirely sure about this one. I'm not a customiser but I do some work on my own harps.
I have noticed that only using 2 screws reduced the problems that I sometimes get when re-assembling a harmonica once I have embossed and gapped. Sometimes it plays great with the cover plates off, but once you put them on I get buzzing reeds, or in some extreme cases reeds sticking.
My theory is that only having 2 screws reduces the tension laterally, across the reed plates which may cause them to twist slightly. However I maybe completely wrong.
I'd be interested to hear from experienced tweakers about this.
Last Edited by on Aug 02, 2011 10:00 AM
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Rubes
379 posts
Aug 03, 2011
3:50 AM
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Could be another lesson in 'overtightening perhaps.....?
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Big Daddy Ray
85 posts
Aug 03, 2011
8:41 PM
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Overtightening does it somehow. I play GM's which only have one screw on each side of the cover. If I over tighten it will normally cause certain notes, in the upperend in my experience, to not sound. It can be as simple as the slightest turn of the screw to loosen it up fixes. There is a sweet spot for the screws where one "tick" too much will do it.
My rule of thumb for tightening is when I am using the screwdrivers with the handles with the pivoting tip that lets you hold the handle against the palm of your hand while turning the screw is... once it starts to get tight and you have to use more force to turn the screw, loosen your grip on the handle so that you are just softly touching the handle with your fingers.
Using very gentle turning strength it is tight enough once your fingers, lightly touching the handle, slip off the handle.
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