Yesterday I received 2 new "Harps" in the mail...I am in Iraq in a remote location and sending them back is not an option...need to do some field surgery...I started Harping this past August, so I am new...I NEED A PLACE TO START...do new "Special 20's" have plastic comb air leaks? Is this easy to repair? Thanks for the help! Steve
I'm not sure. Is the reed straight in the slot or rubbing the sides? I don't know. Hopefully one of the more experienced guys will stop into the thread.
I embedded the link so people are more likely to take a look.
Last Edited by on Feb 06, 2010 7:07 PM
I would check the gaps first--make sure the 2 blow is also gapped right--the reeds work in pairs. Does the 2 draw sound better if you bend it? If it doesn't, then it might be a gapping thing in both blow and draw.
The kind of sound you're getting seems like a too wide gap on the 2 draw to me. . .
I replied on your vid... couldn't get it all to post. So, here's what I tried to post: First let me thank you for your service to our country. That said, it's a G sure, but it's still like 25 cents flat. It should be just a little bit sharp. There's something else going on there, the reed is hitting the inside of the reedslot. take the reedplate off, push the reed in the slot with your finger And look at it in the light. You should see equal light on all sides. You will see A) a burr on the reed or (B) the reed sitting cockeyed in the slot. I think it will be cockeyed. You need to turn the reed by placing pressure on the rivet pad. If you can’t find something to do that with, I will make sure you get a reed wrench. Email me at dave(at)elkriverharmonicas.com.
I would like to see a video of you plinking this reed. We'll get this figured out. If we can get some special ops or Seals in there to extricate the harp, mail it to me, I'll fix it.
Dude, don't give up on this, we'll get you through it, OK? Let's do all the talking in this thread... keep me posted here, OK? We'll figure this out.
Thanks! Dave
---------- www.harrisonharmonicas.com Harrison Harmonicas The only harmonica made in the USA
Last Edited by on Feb 06, 2010 10:07 PM
Can you get a feeler gauge, say between 4 and 10 thousandths of an inch and a small file? The file needs to be thinner than the width of the rivetpad on the reed... If you can procure those, I'll walk you through making a reed wrench. ---------- www.elkriverharmonicas.com
Last Edited by on Feb 06, 2010 10:32 PM
Good advice so far - 'plinking' as you may know, is getting something thin and pointy to flick the reed with - it should 'ping' clearly. If it doesn't, the first thing to check is that the edges of the slot are not burred - and we're talking almost microscopic. The 0.004 feeler gauge helps here; just gently run it between reed and slot on both sides so that both sides 'feel' the same once or twice then plink again. You might find that the feeler gauge dislodges the reed, making it turn on the rivet. This slightly loose rivet is why the reed's gone off, but levelling it with the feeler should do the trick. NO FORCE! Take it easy and good luck.
Last Edited by on Feb 07, 2010 1:32 AM
Last Edited by on Feb 06, 2010 9:10 PM