LumberjackShark
38 posts
Apr 30, 2014
10:03 AM
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My Marine Band Deluxe (key of D) harp had a partially blown out draw hole 4 (it wouldn't work if I tried to bend it). I tried to gap it, to see if this would fix the problem. I've gapped before with no problem. Well now the draw 4 has a "rattle" type sound to it. I tried to lesson the gap, but that didn't help. What should I do? I hear of ppl getting a new comb.... is that the plate of reeds?
I'm lost here and would prefer to not have to buy a new harp.
Oh, I've had this harp for around 18 months or so.... I think.
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nacoran
7701 posts
Apr 30, 2014
11:04 AM
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A D wouldn't be likely to be hitting the covers, so the next best cause of a rattle would be a misaligned reed. Carefully check to see if the reed is hitting the side of the reed slot. If that's it, you can nudge it back in. Ideally, you want to have the little wrench that fits the reed and adjust it by the rivet, but I've had luck using a piece of paper. You slide the paper around the reed, all the way down and gently tug it. You want the force applied evenly and you'll only need to barely pull.
Without a sound sample, that's the best you can do. It shouldn't have anything to do with the comb. That's the wooden part. You can get new reed plates for some harps. I'm not sure if the MBD is one of them, but replacing reed plates is about half the cost of a new harp, and as long as you already own a tiny screwdriver (if you are gapping I assume you do). If it's not an alignment issue, there are guys who will fix reeds for a very reasonable price, although it may be better to wait until you have a few broken harps to send at once, because shipping prices eat up a lot of the savings otherwise. If you are handy, you can replace a reed yourself. Forum members Arzajac and MP both do reed repair and replacement.
Check the alignment first. As a general suggestion to anyone trying to troubleshoot a harp, if you have a way to record the sound and post it, it will go a long way. (Hmm, or, maybe one of you customizers could record and post the sounds of various harp problems and post clips. That would be great for a troubleshooting guide!)
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Nate
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smwoerner
253 posts
Apr 30, 2014
11:08 AM
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A draw 4 on a D harp should be easy to bend even with a large gap. After all of your tinkering can you bend it properly now and is it staying in tune (both the blow and draw notes)? As Nate mentioned it may be an alignment issue or,you may just have a burr along the reed slot that is causing the rattle. You could have easily nicked the slot while setting the gap.
Otherwise you’ve got a reed going bad (could be the draw or blow reed). If that’s the case it’s time for a reed replacement. A new comb is not going to solve your problem.
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MP
3186 posts
Apr 30, 2014
11:17 AM
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It's the reed as nacoran said. Probably alignment. It could be twisted or maybe it is loose. I think it's time for a new reed.
After 18 months of playing any harp will at least need a tune-up.
Replacing the reed on an MBD would be closer 1/3 of the cost of buying a new one. It would play better and be tuned too if you send it to the right guy.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
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LumberjackShark
39 posts
Apr 30, 2014
1:40 PM
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Right after I posted I saw Snowman's post about replacing a reed plate, and realized the difference in a comb and reed plate (duh!)
I'll try to realign, but am thinking about a new reed plate. How do I get a new one? Can I assume you should not use a reed plate from another style of Hohner harp?
As always, thanks to all.... MP, you were mentioned by nacoran, do you sell them?
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STME58
798 posts
Apr 30, 2014
2:06 PM
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I get my reed plates from Rockin Ron's. If you go this route be sure to save your old reed plates. At some point you will want to replace an individual reed and the easiest place to get a replacement reed is from an old reed plate set.
Buying new is something of a crap shoot, although less of one with and MBD than say a Bluesband. If your harp is working well other than one reed, sending it to a good tech to have a reed replaced may give you a better result than buying new reed plates.
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JustFuya
110 posts
Apr 30, 2014
2:29 PM
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Just an idea ... After all that adjustment maybe the reed is hanging loose on the rivet. I would first try squeezing the rivet to reaffirm its grip.
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MP
3187 posts
Apr 30, 2014
4:25 PM
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No sorry, MBD plates are sold as pairs and are not cheap.
RockinRonsMusic4less may have them 4less :-). I remember we talked about replacement sets for X-overs and MBDs.
they are identical but tuned very differently. Ron was winding up w/ MBD tuned plates rather than Crossover tuned plates he requested.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
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