Arcadiandj
40 posts
Dec 30, 2013
4:06 AM
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I have a new special 20 that is really hard to bend on the low holes. Looking at youtube videos, some people say to close the gap while others say to open it. You close it if you want it to do overblows right? I've fiddled with the reeds a little, but people also say to be very careful, so I thought I'd ask this forum about general out of the box reed adjustments for when you are having trouble bending the lower reeds? Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Kingley
3345 posts
Dec 30, 2013
4:42 AM
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The only videos worth watching on this subject on YouTube are these ones by the great Joe Spiers.
You may also want to look at your bending technique to make sure that's working effectively. I'd suggest watching something like the videos on bending by Lee Sankey.
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harpwrench
744 posts
Dec 30, 2013
4:50 AM
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Here's a rundown. Generally when a reed is adjusted for easy response it feels like there's a slight "viscosity" when you give it a puff of air. Closing the blow gaps tighter always makes the draw bends easier but we don't want them too tight or they'll stall when played normally. On 2-3 draw reeds, I want them just tight enough that the first half step bend is not leaky. Deeper bends are the blow reed sounding. So you bend the note down smooth and easy, and try to feel where the leak is. If there's underlying problems then you won't likely be able to gap your way out of all issues. Common problems can be reed plates not flat, reeds riveted in off center, or damaged curves resulting from the tuner pressing too hard with the file and bending the brass.
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MP
3019 posts
Dec 30, 2013
10:11 AM
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I like simple tools like the O-ring pick? harpwrench uses in this video.
These are good videos.
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i still have a little Hohner stock for reed replacement in three common keys.
when these are gone i'm out of the biz.
click MP for my e-mail address and more info.
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BigA
1 post
Dec 30, 2013
11:00 AM
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I'm pretty much a beginner (playing for about a year). I mainly use special 20s.
I've found that the low end blow reeds are gapped too large, this seems to let too much air leak when drawing/bending. So before I try and get the draw reeds gapped right I take on the blow reeds first (they are easier to get right, although you have to pull the reed plates off). With just a little bit of air they should engage, so I tweak them until they work the way they should.
Once I get the blow reeds working correctly I begin work on the draw reeds, you can put the reeds plates back on now. Usually half of them (1 through 4) are gapped close to good enough, at least for the first iteration of this process. Usually the gaps seem to be too large, but you can tell by playing it. If it's choking when you try and bend, the gap is too small, if it's airy and hard to bend its too large. So begin tweaking it, make SMALL adjustments, try and play it did it get better or worse? you don't have to put the whole thing back together, just be careful your lips stay clear of the reed.
Me being a novice, I have to go through the process many times to get it just right. I'm getting much better at it though.
This is just what I've been doing, I'm by no means an expert, but I have a couple of my harps working really sweet, a hundred times better than when they came out of the box.
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SergZZZ
101 posts
Dec 31, 2013
2:05 AM
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Arcadiandj : Unfortunately YouTube does not provide answers to all questions. On this subject there is no useful information.
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www.ermonica.com
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ridge
479 posts
Dec 31, 2013
6:16 AM
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Serg, thanks for perpetuating your own statement. Should we all go out and order ermonicas now?
Harpwrench's videos are a useful tool. To write them off completely is in pretty poor taste. One of the pioneer harp techs drops in to give some pointers and basically gets shrugged off. Sad.
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Ridge's YouTube
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sonny3
106 posts
Dec 31, 2013
6:39 AM
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No useful info.except for this very thread.wow!
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messy ventura
113 posts
Dec 31, 2013
10:40 AM
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Joe don't know ?? Like Brees don't know football ? Like Ricci don't know speed runs and OB's ? LMFAO !
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Gnarly
852 posts
Dec 31, 2013
10:58 AM
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Yeah, I owe it to myself (and my clients) to give these videos a good viewing.
Joe does good work, and it's great that he took the time to share his information.
HNY, y'all!
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Jehosaphat
640 posts
Dec 31, 2013
7:27 PM
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Over the years i have learnt heaps from Harp-l and MBH
but if had to point to the one most useful ,helpful piece of info..Gapping!
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Moon Cat
322 posts
Jan 01, 2014
8:17 AM
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Holy Crap!!! Those videos are amazing. I had no idea Joe Spiers had these videos out! I suck! Thank you so much much Kingly for posting these man! Im going to refer everyone to these suckers! Thanks for the the kudos messy ventura to Joe, Drew Dat and me! Glad I checked this thread. Happy New year! Joe (harp wrench) your the best man, I miss talking-Jason
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harpwrench
745 posts
Jan 01, 2014
1:52 PM
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Well it was just something done during lunch break one day (instead of taking a cat nap), when I still worked for the "man". Glad they're still useful!
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HarveyHarp
553 posts
Jan 01, 2014
3:05 PM
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Heck, I have been referring people, especially my customers to these videos ever since they were posted. Joe is the best. ----------
HarveyHarp
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Arcadiandj
41 posts
Jan 01, 2014
4:34 PM
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Ok, I think I got it. Actually, I think I got confused by Adam's out of the box adjustment video. But what I think I have now gathered to this point-and what has helped improved the playability of my new harp is: Reduce the gap to help with bending. Increase the gap to prevent stalling. Thanks to all for your help!
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