Peter757
36 posts
Mar 22, 2009
5:27 PM
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I am a novice when it comes to harmonica repair, so I would appreciate some help.
I purchased an A Harp (Hohner Special 20) to play along with Adam's MOJO 1.0 lesson.
The 1 hole draw has a very strong rattling sound. I've checked the reed plate covers to make sure they are secure, and they seem to be.
Any other suggestions? All other notes seem ok, only the 1 hole draw has that rattling sound.
Thank you.
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Aussiesucker
200 posts
Mar 22, 2009
5:51 PM
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Sorry but from my experience with SP20s it is not uncommon to get duds out of the box. If it is a new harp take it back.
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MrVerylongusername
200 posts
Mar 22, 2009
5:59 PM
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Sounds like the reed hitting the cover plate. Not necessarily a defective harp: try drawing a little softer.
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GermanHarpist
172 posts
Mar 22, 2009
6:22 PM
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A reed hitting the cover plate? Somehow I can't imagine that... should be easy to check out though: just play with the cover plates removed.
It would probably help with the diagnosis if you could post a vid or soundfile of your 1 hole draw...
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germanharpist, harpfriends on Youtube
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Tryharp
181 posts
Mar 22, 2009
6:51 PM
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I think MRVL is probably right. I have a special 20 in G that if you draw hard it does the same. Being the lowest note on a low harp, the reed is very long and can hit the coverplate I think.
Tryharp
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Spl20
16 posts
Mar 22, 2009
10:38 PM
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I'd be surprised if the reed was hitting the cover plates too, but I would think it would sound different with your hands on the covers as it does with them off, so you could prove that right away. I think the reed is not lined up in the center of the reed plate slot therefore rattling agaist the edge. I had one that did that. If you look at the reed in the slot you can tweek it left or right best if you have a wrench but staight edge can work just using leverage. But use care not to break the reed. If the reed plate is off the comb it's easier to see against the back light. Youtube has reed video that talk about reed adjustments if you need more.
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MrVerylongusername
202 posts
Mar 23, 2009
2:56 AM
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Hohner Special 20s have the same size shallow cover plates - regardless of key. The lower keyed harps, like A and G have longer reeds and these can and do hit the plates to cause a fluttering rattling sound. Especially if the player has a strong grip. One of the criticisms people have of Lee Oskars is their use of different size cover plates on lower keys - but it does alleviate the problem.
I know there are other things that could potentially be the cause, but this is the simplest to diagnose. As GermanHarpist says just take the cover plates off. A novice isn't going going to damage anything doing that.
If I had a medical problem, I'd prefer it if the doctors ruled out the simple, external factors first before wading in with the invasive surgery.
If the reed still rattles with the covers off then it is a misaligned reed as Spl20 says.
It's a new harp and Peter says he's a novice when it comes to harp repair. If I were him and it wasn't the coverplates I'd just take it back and get it exchanged.
Realigning a reed isn't hard, but go in hamfisted and you could break it permanently and void your warranty.
...and next time you buy a harp - if they've got one of those odd bellows, stupid as they look and sound, it is actually worth using them to avoid problems like this. I think all official Hohner retailers should have them.
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RyanMortos
107 posts
Mar 23, 2009
5:50 AM
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I have/had a similar problem. I have/had a rattling 1 hole draw on a golden melody key of A. I take the covers off & draw, no rattle. I lowered the gap as much I felt comfortable & it rattles less often. Though, if I draw harder I still get a rattle. Im quite positive the reed is hitting the cover plate.
I recommend if this is your issue to lower the gap a bit & modify slightly your embosure & draw power on the 1 hole draw. Thats working for me so far.
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube - Containing [0] uploads and counting...
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DaDoom
49 posts
Mar 23, 2009
7:10 AM
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@RyanMortos
Golden Melodies are known to have that problem. Even my GM in D (rather high pitch) does that on hole 1. You can avoid it by applying just the right pressure when playing the hole in question. I don't know of any tweaks that could remove the problem though.
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Peter757
37 posts
Mar 23, 2009
5:10 PM
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OK...I took the cover plates off, and when I draw on the one hole, even ever so slightly, it still rattles...
I'm not sure how to "lower the gap...." Not sure how to make the gap on the reed more narrow.
Sorry to pester with rookie questions. I'd take it back, but I bought the hasrmonica while on a business trip, so no easy way to do so.
Thanks for your suggestions...
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Tryharp
183 posts
Mar 23, 2009
5:19 PM
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Peter,
I would have layed money on that it was hitting the covers, wrong again! So I dont think you want to try lower the gap, but try what SP20 said. ie the reed may be off centre in the slot, or there maybe a little burr on the reed slot.
Tryharp
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Chowda30
15 posts
Mar 23, 2009
5:48 PM
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If you want to get a little adventurous take the cover plate off an olf blown out harp of the same model and brand (I did this to a special 20). Customize that sucker by bending and flexing the back end where it gets narrow. make sure you USE THE COVER PLATE FROM AN OLD BLOWN OUT HARP. The cover plates are interchangable. I forget what tool I used but basically flexed the narrow back end so it wasn't so curved.
I also ground off the back to open it up. It makes them louder, but you lose the pertection the back end provides. this is for lint and other objects. Becareful the edges can be razor sharp... some even from the factory.
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MrVerylongusername
210 posts
Mar 23, 2009
6:06 PM
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OK Peter - so you've ruled out the reed hitting the reedplate. Good news is that, that would have been really hard to fix. Bad news is now you need to get your hands dirty.
But it's not that bad. It's a draw reed, so you're looking at taking the cover off and examining the bottom reed plate. You probably don't need to unscrew the whole harp. With a cocktail stick (or something similar) GENTLY and I mean GENTLY flick the tip of the 1st reed. If it is misaligned or hitting a burr, then it will sound dampened.
You need to ever so slightly twist the reed at the rivet end. I've used needle nose pliers successfully to do this, Spl20's suggestion of a straight edge sounds like it could work too. It will help if you GENTLY depress the reed into the slot a little as you twist. Plink again. Another thing that can help is shining a bright light (one of those mini-LED torches is great) into the hole so you can see the gaps between the reed and the slot. Trial and error really.
If that still doesn't do it, you'll probably need to clean the edges of the slot with a shim.
Last Edited by on Mar 23, 2009 6:06 PM
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RyanMortos
110 posts
Mar 23, 2009
7:03 PM
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DaDoom,
Thanks, I did not know that about golden melodies. I'm sure the customizers have a solution for that. I hear it's the instrument of choice for many.
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube - Containing [0] uploads and counting...
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Willspear
4 posts
Dec 09, 2011
1:37 PM
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Every thing below C in the golden melody model line I have ever bought strikes the cover on a hard 1 draw. The rub is that aside from that they play and sound great. Careful drawing eliminates the problem for me.
The g special 20 I still have hits as well
The stock combs I have had crack. Never used a custom comb but several are made.
Of hohners the GM is my favorite I really dont like marine bands
comfortwise despite the great sound. still like seydels better for my every day harps.
Edit- oops sorry for the necro I was reading back in the archives and forgot that I was.
Last Edited by on Dec 09, 2011 2:27 PM
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HarpNinja
1983 posts
Dec 09, 2011
2:08 PM
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You are hitting the bend too hard and flattening it well below the half-step bend.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
VHT Special 6 Mods
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Willspear
5 posts
Dec 09, 2011
2:26 PM
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it strikes on B on the A harp in my pocket not flattening at all just a hard unbent draw. Harder than I usually Play
I am playing it while watching the change in sound on a chromatic tuner.
I suppose i should pop the covers off and make sure the breath is not bending and the cover is in the way.
Not an issue in my usual play as I adapted my play to compensate some time ago
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KingoBad
1004 posts
Dec 09, 2011
3:09 PM
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I salute the power of your Necromancy...
If they are that old, just start a new one - you can cite the old one if you need to...
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Danny
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