HawkeyeKane
176 posts
Sep 13, 2011
12:01 PM
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I probably need a little schooling here.
In terms of when a reed goes bad...usually in my case what happens is a hole will lock up. Either blow or draw, doesn't matter. It's stiff.
Now, is this something fixable? I have a Lee Oskar tool kit that came with a manual on harp repair (which I seem to have misplaced), but I never even got a chance to read it.
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Hawkeye Kane
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bluemoose
603 posts
Sep 13, 2011
12:15 PM
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Sounds more like a mechanical problem: gapping, debris or alignment.
Reeds going bad usually go flat first.
Pull the covers and do a plink test.
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Last Edited by on Sep 13, 2011 12:16 PM
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MrVerylongusername
1937 posts
Sep 13, 2011
12:16 PM
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That sounds fixable - probably just gummed up. A reed that has gone bad goes out of tune and loses some of its sparkle.
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HawkeyeKane
177 posts
Sep 13, 2011
12:36 PM
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Well, it doesn't surprise me to find this out since I'll be the first to admit that I can be what's commonly known as a garden-variety doofus. Now I can spend the rest of my day kicking myself in the ass for shelling out cash for reedplate after reedplate. GAH!
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Sep 13, 2011 12:39 PM
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nacoran
4588 posts
Sep 13, 2011
12:40 PM
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That sounds more like a jam than a bad reed. Try blowing and drawing the hole a couple times quickly. Sometimes that will clear it. If not you just need to un-stick it manually. You can use a toothpick to gently push the reed without taking it apart, but if it's a harp held together with screws it's just as easy to take the covers off. Gently push the offending reed back and forth through the hole a couple times with your finger or a toothpick (I use toothpicks, or even better, craft picks because they are softer than the metal so they won't scratch the metal but harder than the gunk that builds up.) Often you'll see lots of gunk in there. Just rub it off with your toothpick. Don't get fancy and try to grab a toothbrush. A toothbrush is fine for coverplates but it can snag on reeds.
If the reed is still having problems, check to make sure it's straight in the slot. Sometimes you'll have to take the reedplate off the comb to hold it up to the light, but usually you can eyeball it.
When you put things back together make sure you don't over-tighten the screws. This can bend the reedplate and make things go out of whack. While you've got the harp open get as much crud out as you can. It's not going to be pretty in there. Make sure you tap the harp on something a couple times to make sure all the loose crud is off so you don't inhale it when you play.
Another great tip for taking harps apart? (Courtesy of Buddha) Magnets! Not all screws and nails are magnetic, but most of them are. Keep a small magnet nearby and put all the screws, nails and bolts on it. It's a great way to make sure you don't lose them.
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Nate
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RT123
232 posts
Sep 13, 2011
12:53 PM
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These are really cool and useful. I have a bunch of them. I even have one on the side of my refrigerator and put my beer caps in it. I couldnt live without them when I am working with small crews and such. Its a great conversation piece too!
Magnetic Bowl
Last Edited by on Sep 13, 2011 12:53 PM
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nacoran
4594 posts
Sep 13, 2011
3:13 PM
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Cool, I may have to pick one of those up.
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Nate
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