Rontana
34 posts
Feb 03, 2015
8:27 AM
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Just personal preference here, but I like the sound/tone of Golden Melodies. However, those slightly extended reed plates rip my lips apart. I'm most comfortable when reed plates and combs are flush.
So, being a backwoods luthier of sorts for a decade of so, and having a bunch of obscure tools, here's how I altered the GM
1: Disassemble harp.
2: Put this file (either of the 6" models) upside down in a vise File
4: Hold the reed very carefully, so as not to bend, fold, spindle or mutilate. Run it back and forth over the file, removing as much material as you like (you'll need to periodically lay it on the comb, and place cover on top/bottom, to get the dimensions you like)
5: Place a file with very fine teeth in vise, and repeat, just to smooth things down. You can pick these files up at any hardware store.
6: Again, set the reed plates and cover on comb to check accuracy
7: Sand the edge of the reed plate and replace on the comb. Check gaps.
8: Reassemble the whole shebang and tweak gaps as necessary.
It worked for me (YMMV). And I now have an "almost flush" surface that plays great. No more lip atrocities.
I'm sure there are many solutions . . . but man . . . I really liked how this turned out.
Of course, being new at this, and having a bit of Harp Acquisition Syndrome, I just ordered a Rocket. Still not sure what my harp of choice will be (I like Harpmasters and Sp20 . . . but it's just not quite what my ear wants to hear.
For what it's worth ..........
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Marr's Guitars
Offering custom-built Cigar Box Guitars for the discriminating player of obscure musical unstruments
Last Edited by Rontana on Feb 03, 2015 3:07 PM
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FreeWilly
463 posts
Feb 03, 2015
9:42 AM
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I do not remove the edges completely. I like to still feel them. I do it with 400 grid and then 1000 grid sanding paper. Check if they are equally sanded by holding them on the table. If it feels off when playing, I take some more of. 1000 grid makes them much smoother on the lips.
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Meaux Jeaux
44 posts
Feb 03, 2015
1:52 PM
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These are both great tips, but one must be careful not to lose the channel on the reed plate that the leading edge of the mouth cover fits into to make it airtight.
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Rontana
35 posts
Feb 03, 2015
3:05 PM
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Thanks for pointing that out, Meau Jeaux. Yes, I took it just shy of the channel. It's not technically "flush," but close enough that you barely feel the reed plate.
Yup, FW. I inititally started with sandpaper alone, but wanted to remove so much material that it was going to take forever and a day Got lots of paper here for doing wood-top finishes (up to 5,000 grit) but I'm a little impatient when it comes to sanding.
Now . . . my wish would be that GMs came in a model that was already flush, but maybe that would screw with the sound. Plus, I imagine that re-engineering the comb would add a lot to the cost of the harp
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Marr's Guitars
Offering custom-built Cigar Box Guitars for the discriminating player of obscure musical unstruments
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arzajac
1580 posts
Feb 03, 2015
4:15 PM
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My GM combs have oval shaped screw holes so that you can position the reed plates recessed, flush or even have the rounded tip of the comb tines protrude a little - it's your choice.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
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WinslowYerxa
771 posts
Feb 03, 2015
4:39 PM
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You could cover the front edges of the comb tines with masking tape, leave the harp assembled, and hold face down while sanding or filing. That way you can protect the reeds, sand both plates by the same amount, and check exactly what effect you're having on the overall instrument while protecting parts that might be damaged.
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Winslow
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Gipsy
125 posts
Feb 04, 2015
12:57 AM
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A mention for arzajac's oval shaped screw holes. They really do allow for personal preferences.
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Rontana
37 posts
Feb 04, 2015
6:41 AM
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All good suggestions . . . thanks
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Marr's Guitars
Offering custom-built Cigar Box Guitars for the discriminating player of obscure musical unstruments
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boris_plotnikov
1037 posts
Feb 04, 2015
6:48 AM
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Get a proper custom comb. It'll be more airtight and you can move it back and forth a bit. I personally prefer to move comb slightly out of reedplates to feel comb a bit.
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Excuse my bad English.
My videos.
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Rontana
38 posts
Feb 04, 2015
7:11 AM
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I'm sure you're right on the custom combs, but I'm far from accomplished enough to feel I need one just yet. Maybe in a year or two if I see my skills continuing to improve.
Probably more germane is that I'm one of those old country boys that enjoys tinkering . . . cars, guitars, fishing gear, harps (and I won't even go into last year's Cajun pirogue project . . . save to say I learned a lot).
Good to take on new things and keep learning after age 55 (and before as well)
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Marr's Guitars
Offering custom-built Cigar Box Guitars for the discriminating player of obscure musical unstruments
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harpwrench
985 posts
Feb 04, 2015
8:16 AM
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It's not really about need, it's about being smarter with your time. A custom comb doesn't cost much. Time spent fiddling around could be better applied towards your luthier business, family or fishing. We only have so much time, and don't even know how much at that. If you still want to do it the hard way, sacrifice an extra stock comb, assembling your plates to it and file them down to taste, then move them over to the working set. Watch out for the grooves.
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Rontana
39 posts
Feb 04, 2015
12:07 PM
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Harpwrench . . . thank you for the viewpoint. I appreciate it, sincerely, but I respectfully disagree with the part of your comments that apply toward my business, family or hobbies.
The implication here is that, because I don't do something as you might, I'm engaging in a less than smart allocation of time. A rather large assumption there, as the wise individual - knowing that time is short - allocates their finite minutes to those endeavors that give them the most joy. What brings joy is infinite, varying from person to person.
I apply that philosophy to life in general, not just harmonica.
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Marr's Guitars
Offering custom-built Cigar Box Guitars for the discriminating player of obscure musical unstruments
Last Edited by Rontana on Feb 04, 2015 12:22 PM
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harpwrench
986 posts
Feb 04, 2015
1:38 PM
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All I really meant is custom combs might be worth considering to save time, rather than only considered at some point where it's "need" is based on your playing skills. And offered reasons why one might think about it. No offense and I understand. I've been known to enjoy the satisfaction of doing stuff like you're doing. :)
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Rontana
40 posts
Feb 04, 2015
1:45 PM
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No offense taken, Harpwrench. Thanks . . . I do understand your point about combs.
Am eagerly awaiting late April . . . when I can once again serenade voracious channel cats with my outdoor blues harp practice (it could be that my playing leads them to take their own lives by swallowing large hooks . . . which makes it sort of a win-win for me)
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Marr's Guitars
Offering custom-built Cigar Box Guitars for the discriminating player of obscure musical unstruments
Last Edited by Rontana on Feb 04, 2015 1:46 PM
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