Littoral
1372 posts
Mar 26, 2016
10:08 AM
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and
I think tuning and gapping is basic to being a professional. I can't quite accept that I'm crappy at it. That wouldn't bother me so much if I hadn't just killed a Crossover. I have actually rebuilt MB's with screws, opened covers, sealed combs, and (sometimes) successfully gapped and tuned.
Any suggestions?
I REALLY need good harps but can't just buy them. OOTB Crossovers have been really close and I am happy with SP20's, although Tom's combs have spoiled me. Joe's plan intrigues me the most and I figure that, at least, is what I need to resurrect the Crossover.
I actually have more than this if trading of parts would be useful.
Last Edited by Littoral on Mar 26, 2016 10:10 AM
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Littoral
1374 posts
Mar 26, 2016
1:35 PM
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I wasn't gapping, I was trying to align the reef in the gap. Gapping, you're right, isn't difficult.
Last Edited by Littoral on Mar 26, 2016 1:35 PM
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florida-trader
891 posts
Mar 26, 2016
2:07 PM
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Littoral - Send me an email. I might have a solution for you. Tom
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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snowman
165 posts
Mar 26, 2016
5:25 PM
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can u replace reeds? i use old harponline screws and bolts--I relate sometimes 1 slip or i n a hurry can waste a reed--For my own harps Im 85% proficient at replacing reeds--meaning I can do it all of the time sometimes in 30 minutes but sometimes ,takes longer--Heres a tid bit --' hohner uses the same reeds for sp 20,gm and the standard ---maybe crossover now as well?? don't know??plus u can or could buy single reeds, 3 pacs etc from hohner---The crossover is now my main harp---prefer manjies ,but until suzuki cuts loose with selling individual reeds-I won't switch--I will still tune n gap my own but I rarely emboss anymore-will sometimes work on getting the reed to pass through slot even and at same time---but if i can't get it soon--I leave well enough alone--I swear I think harp customizers must have had a bank roll b4 they started--cuz i sure f.....up some harps b4 I got adequate, not good but adequate--what they do is worth the price-meaning customizers--I wish I could afford 1 speirs harp-- would only want 456 ob and 7 od--so I could guage what I was doing even then I would only work on my harps-- your not a hack-- lots of guys buy new harps when all hey need to do is a minor re gap --appreciate the post
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SuperBee
3539 posts
Mar 26, 2016
6:39 PM
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my own clumsy attempt to align a reed (also in a crossover funnily enough) which led to its destruction, is what eventually led to me learning to do my own repairs, and after a while, to do repairs for others. point being, a mistake is a learning opportunity
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Rubes
972 posts
Mar 27, 2016
2:27 AM
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I think fixin harps is a lot like fishin.........you can have years of experience (or none), have the right gear (or not), get the timing/ mental prep right(or not).....and still.....if the fish/reed doesn't wanna play....YOU'RE STUFFED!
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Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
Last Edited by Rubes on Mar 27, 2016 2:28 AM
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dougharps
1195 posts
Mar 27, 2016
7:42 AM
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Even if you aligned reeds constantly (which would be weird unless you are a tech who works on other peoples harps all the time) you would occasionally screw up and kill a reed.
Any time I do any maintenance beyond gap adjustments I am well aware that I could mess up a harp by a minor twitch or a misjudgement of force or of taking off too much metal when tuning. If I successfully transplant a reed and it works well I am overjoyed.
When performing fine motor skill tasks on an occasional basis you have to expect some failures. Techs do it so much that they develop reliable skills... and I bet that sometimes they still mess up.
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Doug S.
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Slimharp
417 posts
Mar 27, 2016
9:41 AM
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One has to be mindfully careful on the upper reeds, especially when raising pitch.
I bought a very nice mint condition MB of Ebay, black comb. Put 3 hrs into it. Played like crap. Put another hour into it. Played like crap. Once in a while you get a dog.
My suggestion. Play Special 20's. Much more stable platform. Some say " Oh I dont play plastic, only Marine Bands ". Yeah right. By the time you play through a scratchy mic and amp you are gonna hear a difference ? Slight if any.
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