Joch230
149 posts
May 27, 2010
7:55 PM
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Last week I got an A and E Golden Melody as well as a G Special 20 from Rockin Rons. The Golden Melody's both have an odd, feedback like, high pitch squeal when you hit a 2 hole bend down a hole step and sustain it. The A harp also does it on the 3 draw bent down and held. I tried all types of gap variations as well as some light embossing with only maybe a little improvement. The A 3 hole blow reed had a pretty good burr on the tip of it...I think I got it cleaned off. I could use some suggestions as to what to try next. The Special 20 and all my other harps don't have this issue.
-John
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Todd Parrott
24 posts
May 27, 2010
8:57 PM
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This is a common problem, especially with the long slot (C and below) Hohner harps. I am NO customizer by any means, but I believe that most of that sound is coming from the rivet end of the draw reed. You may want to try more embossing of the slot, near the rivet end. Any of you guys that wanna jump in here and correct me or add to this, please do. I hate working on harps, which is why I pay for custom harps - that way I don't have to worry about it.
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Todd Parrott
25 posts
May 27, 2010
9:02 PM
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And I think this problem is not exclusive to Golden Melodies. I've had Marine Bands do it too. I THINK this is partly due to the way the newer Hohner reeds are made - different brass than they used from '97-'03. Again, I am no expert in this area.
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Joch230
150 posts
May 27, 2010
9:26 PM
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Thanks for the response Todd. I can try embossing closer to the rivet. I normally don't get real close on that end as it's obviously harder to get at.
My wife said...just buy one of those expensive harps so you don't have to always fix them things! I still wouldn't be able to afford a top of the line Joe Spiers or Buddha harp at this time. Maybe one of the mid range models.
-John
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Todd Parrott
26 posts
May 27, 2010
10:04 PM
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It really doesn't have much to do with how expensive the harps are - it's mainly the reeds. The Golden Melody is, and will always will be my favorite harmonica, but Hohner is not using the same type of brass that they once did. I think they switched to a thinner brass for longevity, but it seems that this brass is more prone to these types of problems. As for Joe Spiers, he builds some incredible harps. Chris does as well. You should watch this video by Alex:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdmq04UggBA
Although he's setting his harps up for overblows, this may do the trick if you try this on your 2 and 3 draw reeds also. Basically, unless I am mistaken, the ringing sound you are getting is from vibrations at the rivet end of the draw reeds (remember, the blow reed is the actual reed that is producing the bent note). By embossing near the rivet, it will help prevent this from happening.
To make sure the ringing you are hearing is coming from the draw reed, place your thumb over the 2 draw reed while the covers are off, and play the 2 draw bend note. There should be no ringing - then move your thumb and try it, and you should see that the ringing is coming from the draw reed. Try the embossing like shown in Alex's video and it should do the trick. You can do a little at the time, stopping and testing it as you go.
If anyone has any other suggestions, please feel free to correct me or to add to this post.
Hope this helps.
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jim
65 posts
May 28, 2010
4:32 AM
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Todd, Hohner harps made in the 90's are awful piece of junk. Really, I've never seen a good Hohner made inbetween 1960-1995.
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www.truechromatic.com
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Joch230
151 posts
May 28, 2010
4:50 AM
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Todd...I remembered that video too in the back of my mind. I checked it out again...that's the exact sound I'm getting on my A harp as well! I'll have to try it tonight. I even have the same screwdriver he is using.
Jim...this harp is brand new....so I'm sure it's not made between 60-95.
Thanks!
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barbequebob
866 posts
May 28, 2010
10:40 AM
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Todd, from what I've seen, that squeal has little to do with it being long, medium or short slot reeds because I've played Asian made harps, and all of which with the exception of the Suzuki Manji and Fabulous, all use short slot reeds and have had that thing happen.
One thing that may be happening and I've seen this from time to time is that either the slot or the reed plates are not properly aligned on the comb and when this happens, it's not uncommon to have the squealing problem. What I'd recommend is that you loosen the screws on the reed plates so that you have some play without totally removing the screws and then gently play with the plate alignment several times and keep at it until the squeal stops.
I agree that it doesn't matter if it's a cheapie or expensive harp, these things DO happen.
One thing, on a new harp, get in touch with Hohner ASAP and tell them what the problem is. If you have several of these with that problem, it sounds like something needs to be corrected off the production line.
However, I still think that the reed plates are not properly aligned on the comb.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Joch230
153 posts
May 28, 2010
11:05 AM
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Bob....there's a ton of screws on this A harp. There's like 5 on the top and 3 on the bottom and the bottom ones screw into the top and vice versa. So I think it would be harder to be out of align. I'll check it though when I have it apart. I does sound exactly like the sound Alex is getting on his A harp though that he fixes with the embossing.
Thanks,
-John
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Todd Parrott
27 posts
May 28, 2010
11:15 AM
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Jim, the years I am referring to are the NOS plates from 1997-2003. Per Joe Spiers, the reed plates from this period are superior to the ones before or after this time. These are what Joe used to build my stage III Golden Melodies. I think he does the same with Marine Bands...
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MP
342 posts
May 28, 2010
12:30 PM
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iv'e been seeing a lot of squealing,whistling, and buzzing in the brand new hohners lately.
marine band deluxes, SP20s, and GMs.
it reminds me of the bad old years. (sigh)
i'm glad i don't have to buy new harps since i just repair mine if they need it.
the bad new hohners belong to friends and i just do my best to rectify these anoyances.
i think hohner harps are going through a period where they have "issues".
i wonder if you can order NOS harps with the plates dated from the better years.
Last Edited by on May 28, 2010 12:33 PM
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Todd Parrott
29 posts
May 28, 2010
12:39 PM
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You can't order the NOS plates. Would be nice. Luckily I have a ton of NOS Golden Melody plates to last me for a long time.
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barbequebob
869 posts
May 28, 2010
12:41 PM
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@Joch230, it most CERTAINLY can be aligned wrong and the idea that screws or a plastic comb or even reed plates that ar recessed into the comb does NOT insure proper alignment because I've seen that on all of the above. It only takes even a hair line out of alignment to make this stuff happen, so when you play with it, do VERY slight movements.
The screws being in opposite directions doesn't really sound right because the reed plate screws should always be facing in the exact same direction no matter who makes them.
As far as the bad quality years of Hohner, Joe Filisko in his research has said that Hohner began slipping in the 1960's, but the really heavy nose dive were from 1980-1995. From personal experience, the quality difference between Hohners made in the 70's and the 80's-mid 80's is quite dramatic.
Just about every customizer I know of nearly all say Hohner's newer reeds leave a lot to be desired.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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ness
216 posts
May 28, 2010
12:43 PM
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What's "NOS"?
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John
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Buddha
1878 posts
May 28, 2010
12:51 PM
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NEW OLD STOCK
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***
"Musicians are the architects of heaven"
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ol'bosey
7 posts
May 28, 2010
1:58 PM
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@ Joch230: If it makes You feel any better,I bought a Crossover in C last week...same exact problem. 2 draw bent a whole step and it starts screaming...I think I'm going to cut to the chase and go for a custom marine band.
Last Edited by on May 28, 2010 1:59 PM
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Joch230
154 posts
May 28, 2010
3:28 PM
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The embossing towards the rivet end pretty much took care of it. I can sometimes hear a fient hint of it at a certain point of the bend on the 2 draw...but probably only because I'm locked into listening for it. I'm sure my crude embossing skills could be improved upon...but I'm gonna give it a rest for a while since I'm sick of workin on the harps. Thanks to all.
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MP
348 posts
May 28, 2010
3:35 PM
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good for you todd. i have several pounds of old hohner plates. my parts boxes weigh a ton.
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