Rontana
52 posts
Mar 06, 2015
5:01 PM
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Hi ya'll
I've watched the Joe Spiers videos on gapping reeds (and read a ton of threads/articles). For the most part I've been able to adjust my harps pretty close to what I want in terms of response . . . with one exception. I cannot seem to get my G harps gapped as I'd like.
I have four Rockets (A, C, D, G . . . I've become a Rocket fan) and set the gaps on the first three to my liking. For reference, they were all gapped very high OOTB. The G is stubborn though. It's not the harp . . . as I'm having the same difficulty setting the gap with an SP 20 and a Harpmaster in G.
Is this typical? Are different keys more accepting of setting the gap than others (basically I'm using a mini pick and hook set, and a sales receipt . . . via Adam's video . . . the latter to to lift draw reeds a bit).
Thanks for any info.
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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
1608 posts
Mar 06, 2015
5:14 PM
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Gapping is pretty limited if the reed shape is bad or the chamber is not airtight. And reed shape varies from harp to harp just like anything else.
Edit to add: With regard to your question about various keys, you should expect the same out of any key harmonica. The ideal situation is that the reeds should respond to both soft and hard breath. How much range you get in between those two extremes depends on a lot of things.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Mar 06, 2015 5:49 PM
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Rontana
53 posts
Mar 07, 2015
5:29 AM
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Thanks Arzajac . . .
So, all things be more or less equal, and assuming something isn't out of kilter with the harp, it sounds like a trial and error gapping scenario with my G harp is the way to proceed. I spent a great deal of time tweaking the other keys - hole by hole - until finally hitting the spot you mention (responding to both hard and soft breath).
Have spent equal time on G, but no joy yet. While it's quite playable, I generally have a hole or two that are either too breathy or too tight.
Reckon I'll just keep messin' around with the Gs. You answered my question . . . that being all keys should (again more or less) respond the same.
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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
999 posts
Mar 07, 2015
6:48 AM
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"All things being equal" is the catch, they often aren't!
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