I'd like to order some new Marine Band 1896's but i don't want out of the box. I don't need them customized i just need them gone through and gapped/etc for ease of playing and non leaking. you know, every reed is adjusted correctly. where can i get them from?
Most people are going to charge more for that. You can check the list of customizers and contact them (follow the 'Thread Organizer' link in my signature.) If it's just basic gapping you want, it really is something that's easy to tackle, even with the nails on a MB. Adam's got a good video on it. It's #16.
I think that although you are not looking for a full blown custom you are actually describing what most techs would call a basic custom. I think that Joe Spiers makes a base line custom that answers somewhat to that description ("...gone through, gapped, non leaking").
Click on Nacorans Thread organizer above. If it were me looking for what you have described, I would talk with Chromaticblues, Mark Prados, and Joe Spiers on Nacorans customizer list and see what they can do along those lines. Those three are all very good, talented people who have the experience to cater to specific individual needs.
Last Edited by on Dec 09, 2012 11:37 PM
Just go to Rockin Ron's; buy a crossover and mate it with a hetrick comb, watch Joe Spiers video on gapping and you've got yourself your own custom harp.
Start buying Crossovers. MB's aren't worth the hassle. It is cheaper to just pay the $65 for the XO, as it already embodies the majority of what a minor tweaking will do.
This is in bad need of an update, but here are some vids regarding basic tweaking...
http://www.mikefugazzi.com/customizing
I'd check out Elk River on YouTube as well as Choppa Joe...there is a ton of great info.
Basically, you want reeds that close similar to a door - straight and entering the slot at about the same time. Two words of caution...people say "arcing" but generally mean straightening, and the sweet spot for gaps isn't always to have them as tight as possible for response. ---------- Custom Harmonicas
