Gnarly
203 posts
Apr 12, 2012
9:20 AM
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Hi everybody.
I have decided (after making a Special 20) to convert a few Marine Band harps into 8 hole models. I acquired a set of seven used Marine Bands for a great price in great shape here locally.
I don't necessarily want to replace the nails with screws, my recent experience with various models of MB indicate I should be able to reuse the nails. However, on these very new looking harps, the nails seem to be next to impossible to get out.
I can Dremel the heads off, and get replacement nails from a hardware store. Is that what any of you would do?
TIA
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2012 9:35 AM
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Frank
599 posts
Apr 12, 2012
9:25 AM
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I wouldn't dremel em---What method are you trying now to lift the plates off with?
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Gnarly
204 posts
Apr 12, 2012
9:34 AM
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I am reluctant to lift the plates without removing the nails, in fear of bending them.
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Frank
600 posts
Apr 12, 2012
9:39 AM
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There are you tubes that show the process..
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Gnarly
205 posts
Apr 12, 2012
9:50 AM
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You are right!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCP67T5LIOU
Hey Dave!
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nacoran
5526 posts
Apr 12, 2012
12:50 PM
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I've been thinking about going the other direction. I've got a tune on my minor harp that runs off the bottom end of my harp. I was thinking about getting a 12 or 14 hole model in minor. I just have to figure out what notes it is I'm hearing in my head so I can figure out how it needs to be tuned.
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Nate
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Gnarly
206 posts
Apr 12, 2012
12:55 PM
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Right, I like the 12 and 14 hole harps too--
But this project grew from the Blues Chord thread, the idea is to have two harps in the rack--and there is space if one of them is an 8 hole.
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Frank
609 posts
Apr 12, 2012
6:36 PM
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I'm still waiting for a 32 hole chromatic that folds in half and doubles as suitcase....
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nacoran
5528 posts
Apr 12, 2012
7:29 PM
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Adam uses a pocket knife in his video. I'd be more nervous to go at it with a razor blade, especially since you are going to be doing some prying and it's easy to slip.
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Nate
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Jehosaphat
212 posts
Apr 12, 2012
9:35 PM
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Ive made a few 7 hole harps using L/O reed plates on wooden cut down combs.Bit fiddley but easy enough to do if you are careful.
Biggest problem is the cover plates.I used Seydel Big Six ones(they will cover 7 holes)
Just curious as to how you are going to deal with the M/B covers?
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
849 posts
Apr 12, 2012
10:06 PM
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Gnarly, post this on Harp-L. Joe Leone will no doubt rise up and tell you about the Marine Band that fell out of his pocket or whatever and got run over by a trolley. He will probably tell you how he converted it into a 7-hole Marine Band.
You are aware that Seydel makes a 6 hole, right?
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
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"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
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Gnarly
207 posts
Apr 12, 2012
10:13 PM
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The one I did with SP20 parts, the end is open.
Any suggestions?
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
850 posts
Apr 12, 2012
10:46 PM
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Joe molds a new end out of epoxy.
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
Elk River Harmonicas on Facebook
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
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nacoran
5532 posts
Apr 13, 2012
7:59 AM
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I imagine if wanted cover plates of any size you practiced a bit you could cut a bit off the end of a cover and refold and re-drill the end using some of the same techniques used to open up the back of a harp, only more involved. It might be easier to cut them in the middle and solder/weld the two halves back together so you don't have to fiddle with the ends.
It might actually be easier to start from scratch with a new piece of metal. You could carefully flatten out a cover to make a pattern/jig/stencil or whatever you would call it. A metal stamping machine would save a ton of time, but I imagine with some practice you could bend and cut a piece of metal into a custom cover.
(Actually, that gets me thinking... I wonder if one of those blacksmiths you see at Ren-Fairs and historic recreations could make some cast iron covers! A jeweler could probably make covers fairly easily, although I'd imagine they'd charge a fair amount.)
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Nate
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oldwailer
1880 posts
Apr 13, 2012
8:48 AM
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Just put masking tape on the holes you don't want. . .
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KingoBad
1081 posts
Apr 13, 2012
8:55 AM
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Or do what they do in Hollywood... Get a bigger rack....
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Danny
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Gnarly
214 posts
Apr 14, 2012
3:02 PM
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@Elk River Dave it was the Big Six that inspired me, I just can't afford several hundred dollars worth of harmonicas at this time.
I got the 7 Marine bands with a case for $100, they are virtually brand new (but have the black paint on the back of the combs, so are a couple of years old anyway), and now I am embossing them and adjusting the gaps, they look so purty I am reluctant to chop them up--not that I need them, so who knows what will happen to them. I have never been a 1896 guy, but SP20s are Marine Band harps so it's not much of a stretch at this point.
I might go back to chopping up the SP20s, I have lots of parts for that . . .
Last Edited by on Apr 15, 2012 2:01 AM
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