Adam Hamil
58 posts
Dec 21, 2012
10:22 AM
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Lately, I've been working on alot of XB-40s and I recently got a SUB30 and have been constantly tweaking it. After I tune all of the "playing reeds", It's time for me to get the "non-playing reeds" in tune. one thing I've noticed about these extra reeds is that they are almost always tuned too sharp for me to get the bend comfortably and consistantly.
I've found that tuning these reeds about 15 cents flat of the note 1/2 step lower than the note you're trying to bend to is the "magic spot". For example, if I'm tryng to bend a C note down to Bb, I will tune the sympathetic reed to A @ about 15 cents flat. Or If I only want a 1/2 step bend (C to B) The reed would be tuned to a flat Bb.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar expeirences? or do you set up yours completeley different?
Also I tuned all of the Sympathetic reeds on my SUB30 down so that I can do 1/2 step and whole step bends. It's pretty cool!
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C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2012 10:23 AM
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GMaj7
165 posts
Dec 21, 2012
7:07 PM
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Hey Adam
Just curious, how do you tune the sympathetic reeds?
Do you gap then so they play and tune them or do you just blow across them?
This is good info to have btw.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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Adam Hamil
59 posts
Dec 26, 2012
11:48 AM
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Well the process is a little different for XBs than for SUB30s. Niether one involves regapping. For the SUB30 all you need to do is take off the coverplates. For the XB, I put the plates on a un-valved XB comb (you could also clamp them to a 260 comb)
From here, the process is about the same. For this example I'll use the #4 blow on a C. I use My fingers to mute the reeds I'm not using(XB: #4 draw and it's matching symp reed. SUB: #4 draw reed). I play the #4 blow reed at it's intended pitch (c), bend the note as far as I can (w/o being too forceful SUB: B XB: Bb) to engage the sympathetic reed, then quickly changing air direction while the draw (sypathetic) reed is still vibrating( SUB: Bb XB: A). This allows you to leave the gaps at their 0 offset. The sound that comes out of these reeds is not quite pleasent. It's very muffled and weak sounding, but consistant enough to tune.
Judging by the popularity of this thread, I don't imagine too many people are concerned with how this all works. But (IMHO) If you play and/or work on these instruments, you should be considering the tuning of these reeds when doing so.
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C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
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Brendan Power
319 posts
Dec 27, 2012
9:36 AM
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Thanks for the thread, Adam. Your theory about tuning the sympathetic reeds flat by 15 cents is interesting. I normally tune them to or slightly sharp of their intended pitch - about the same as if they were an active reed.
I aim for getting a stable bend to which a player can add true pitch vibrato. If the pitch of the x-reed is too high the player will strain the reeds to bend down to the note he/she wants and vibrato won't be possible. If it's too low they can bend past the pitch they want too easily.
I guess it's not an exact science, and depends on the player to a large extent.
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Gnarly
438 posts
Dec 27, 2012
10:12 AM
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Interesting stuff, thanks for posting.
If an Ultrabend becomes mine, I plan to retune it to SOMETHING, still not sure which tuning . . .
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