Bobbyboy
13 posts
May 26, 2016
2:33 AM
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I love the feel of my Golden Melody but think I would prefer it if it were in Richter tuning rather than ET. Is it possible to buy replacement reed plated for it that are Richter tuned?
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Killa_Hertz
1502 posts
May 26, 2016
2:48 AM
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I dont believe so, but it is possible to tune it yourself. Or possibly pay someone to do it.
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mlefree
679 posts
May 26, 2016
4:06 AM
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I'd suggest swapping reed plates with another "Hand Made" harmonica but they won't fit. The GM reed plates have huge alignment holes that the other model's reed plates lack. They're also of different dimensions.
(GM, SP-20, MB, l-r; sorry the pic' is so huge, but it's a good one.)
You're best bet is to do what Killa suggests. It would not be difficult to tune a GM to a compromised temperament. That would result in a ~very~ nice harmonica. GMs are well designed. They're very airtight with 7 reed plate screws, a recessed comb and the smoothest cover plates extant.
Give it a try!
(And let us know how you fare.)
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on May 26, 2016 4:08 AM
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bluethird
18 posts
May 26, 2016
4:09 AM
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Just a quick note to say I'm sure you meant to say 'just or compromise intonation' rather than 'richter tuning'. The Golden Melody is, of course, Richter tuned. If any of this is news to you, try the great Pat Missin's page http://www.patmissin.com/tunings/tunings.html
As for getting a golden melody in just intonation, I'd say go for it yourself, it's really not too difficult, and you'll learn a fair bit.
Last Edited by bluethird on May 26, 2016 4:10 AM
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Bobbyboy
14 posts
May 26, 2016
4:56 AM
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Yes I did mean compromised tuning. Thanks for the correction.
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Gnarly
1818 posts
May 26, 2016
7:32 AM
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Since the draw reeds are exposed (once you take the cover plates off) and we play the instrument in second position, retuning the third and seventh draw reeds to sound more in tune with the fourth and eighth reeds is easy to try.
I find it easier to do if I use my ear--remove material near the rivet with an X-acto blade (or other--Swiss Army knife, you scouts?) while supporting the reed with a shim until you hear a third note.
Voila, you are in tune.
The blow reeds to adjust are 2, 5, and 8.
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Bobbyboy
15 posts
May 26, 2016
9:25 AM
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I think I will get someone with some exerience to do it for me. I'm in London. Can anyone recommend a suitable man for the job please?
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harmonicanick
2462 posts
May 26, 2016
10:09 AM
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Why spend £30+ to retune
Just buy a Suzuki
Personally I would persist with GM's as they are, I have always loved them
Good luck
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arnenym
390 posts
May 26, 2016
12:25 PM
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If you like them and will stick on them it's best to learn how to tune them.
This guy is nice to do business with. he have some education on his site and is a forum member. Plus... he knows what he talk about.http://harp.andrewzajac.ca/Tools
I use this. http://www.masterharp.com/ST15S
A little pricy but very good to work with.
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Bobbyboy
16 posts
May 26, 2016
12:39 PM
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I've fitted the aluminium comb which I adore so having come this far I may as well get it just as I want it.
From those photo's It looks to me like the MB comb could be reduced in size, redrilled etc.
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florida-trader
923 posts
May 26, 2016
1:03 PM
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As a few have pointed out, the Golden Melody is a Richter Tuned harmonica, however the Temperament is Equal Temperament. What you are talking about doing is changing a GM to a Compromise Temperament perhaps like a Marine Band or a Blues Harp. This is not at all a challenge for anyone who has tuned reed plates. It is something that is becoming increasingly common. Since the Golden Melody is assembled with screws, they are easy to take apart and reassemble. Tuning a reed is simply a matter of removing material from the tip to make it sharper or removing material from the base to make it flatter. Removing a surprisingly little amount of material will significantly change the tuning of the reed. Which tool you use to remove material is dependent on what you have available to you. A small file will work. Sanding wands. Rotary tools with polishing bits (be careful – it is easy to remove too much material with a rotary tool). Rotary engraving tools. If you see yourself getting into maintaining and modifying your harps, it is worth the investment in some good tools. They are not expensive. Tuning charts can be found all over the internet. There are also some inexpensive tuners available. You can download an app to your phone for $2.00.
It is easier than you might think and does not require a huge investment.
On the subject of mounting reed plates other than Golden Melody plates on a Golden Melody comb and using GM covers. That is not at all a big challenge. I have a customer for whom I have built hybrid harmonicas using GM combs and Covers with Manji Reed Plates, with ProMaster/Hammond Reed Plates and also with Seydel 1847 Reed Plates. I just have my machinist cut combs that have the GM profile but the screw holes for the Suzuki or the Seydel reed plates. It is pretty simple if you have the technology at your disposal. The Special 20/GM hybrid would be a piece of cake, but you don't have to go to all that trouble. You can just re-tune the GM reeds the way you want them.
Lastly, with regard to getting a Manji instead. the Manji tuning is a compromise temperament but it is very close to Equal Temperament so if the OP is trying to move away from ET, the Manji would not be a great choice - unless you re-tune it, in which case you are kinda sorta back to square one.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on May 26, 2016 1:06 PM
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Bobbyboy
17 posts
May 26, 2016
4:07 PM
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Thanks for your comments Tom. Always helpful.
A hybrid special 20/GM would be the perfect combination!
Food for thought.
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al
140 posts
May 27, 2016
12:07 AM
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Hi Bobbyboy. I'm based in Scotland. I can retune that for you. I retune all my GM's that way. Get in touch mate. priceal470@gmail.com
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http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/alprice
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Bobbyboy
18 posts
May 27, 2016
3:58 AM
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My GM is now winging its way to bonny Scotland for a retune courtesy of Mr Price. Many thanks Al and thanks to this forum.
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hvyj
3046 posts
May 27, 2016
9:35 AM
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FYI, Tom's tuning is very precise and very even accross the registers. I like how my harps sound after Tom tunes them.
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Bobbyboy
19 posts
May 27, 2016
12:19 PM
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If his tuning is as good as his combs then I'm not surprised. However I'm in the United Kingdom so a new pal in Scotland is ideal.
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Garlic Breath
49 posts
May 27, 2016
3:51 PM
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Back in the early eighties, before I had even heard about temperament, I tried a Golden Melody because it looked like its rounded corners would make it easier to cup. It did, but I also fell in love with the sound. For some reason, it just seemed to facilitate the direction my playing was headed in, without me knowing why. Looking back in light of the knowledge gained from this site and the many teachers it turned me on to, I now realize that it was because I was falling in love with melodic fluidity. Even when laying down a groove, I always loved the challenge of adding lots of little flourishes throughout, and all the augmentations mouth, tongue, and breath could add. Although the world of vibrato / tremolo still lays out ahead for me to explore, I realize that it has simply been an uncontrived act of following my heart and ears. What appeals to you in tuning may simply be due to what appeals to you in your playing at this point. Follow your heart and see where it takes you. Thank God for great harp builders like Tom Halchak. He built for me, an ultimate Golden Melody in "D", and is currently working on one in "Bb". The tuning and responsiveness of these harps is otherworldly. Eventually, I hope to have him customize all of my GM harps. As you follow your heart, folks like Tom and your new Scottish friend will smooth out the path with great tools that inspire you to dedicate even more time toward your individual passion. Wait till you start playing a harp that has been touched by their skill and passion!
Last Edited by Garlic Breath on May 27, 2016 3:56 PM
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Bobbyboy
20 posts
Jun 04, 2016
10:06 AM
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I got my GM back today from Al Price. He has done a marvellous job of tuning it and even gave me his CD " Blues is the roots". Great stuff and not all blues either, some very ethnic sounding stuff on the album. Recommended. Thanks Al.Much appreciated.
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