KingoBad
432 posts
Oct 13, 2010
2:19 PM
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I have adjusted this thing until I just want to go out and buy another one.
I made sure the rivet was set and tight. I have even enlarged the gap all of the way around just to let it swing freely.
It sounds fine when played regularly, but when I bend it even to the blue third, it just starts to muffle and get airy.
I wouldn't worry about getting the new harp (well, I am cheap) but the rest of the harp is so turbocharged, I don't want to have to do all of the work over again.
I thought I had it fixed the last time I asked about this, but now that I cam e back to that harp for a few songs, I just can't put up with the drag on my playing.
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toddlgreene
1909 posts
Oct 13, 2010
2:21 PM
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Is it possibly gapped TOO high now?
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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KingoBad
433 posts
Oct 13, 2010
2:31 PM
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I have tried many variations of gap and embossing. I have customized a full set of killer Marine Bands, none of which have this problem. They all ring beautifully on the bent three. I just can't seem to figure this one out. (perhaps it came unfixable - I just figured I could straighten out just about anything by now)
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toddlgreene
1910 posts
Oct 13, 2010
2:33 PM
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That's annoying, espeically when the harp is otherwise solid and plays sweet.
Another potentially stupid question:have you inspected the reed for a possible crack? Plinked it, and all that good stuff?
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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hvyj
708 posts
Oct 13, 2010
2:57 PM
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I'm certainly no expert on this, but when you play a draw bend, it is the BLOW reed that is activated. So, in order for a draw bend to sound right, the gap of the BLOW reed and the gap of the draw reed must be balanced. Both gaps have to be in the right proportion to one another.
So, if you are sure the draw reed isn't gapped too high, my suggestion would be to adjust the gap of the BLOW reed. That may solve the problem.
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KingoBad
434 posts
Oct 13, 2010
2:59 PM
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I have plinked it of course, it seems to sound fine. I have not examined it very closely for cracks(maybe my kids' microscope might come in handy here). It plays with resonance when played unbent, I figured the condition of the reed was fine, but you know what assumptions get you...
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barbequebob
1334 posts
Oct 13, 2010
5:33 PM
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One thing you need to remember is that the two reeds work together as a pair. In holes 1-6, it`s the blow reeds that`s actually doing the bending and in holes 7-10, it`s the draw reed actually doing the bending and often times when you regap, you may need to do BOTH reeds. Since you`ve described what you`re hearing as airiness, it sounds like the rivet on 3 blow needs to be tapped down so the reed sits flush flat on the plate.
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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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KingoBad
435 posts
Oct 13, 2010
6:28 PM
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I'm going to try the blow reed now. I figured logically that it was the blow reed that was the problem, but I never thought to seat the rivet. I'll let you know if that does it. Thanks!
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chromaticblues
202 posts
Oct 13, 2010
6:39 PM
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Emboss both blow and draw reed slots and then look at it with a magnifying glass to see if you really did it right or not. After you emboss them both. use your thumb nail to push the rivet end of the reed into the slot with a .002" feeler gauge stuck under the reed about 3/4 the way up to the rivet. this sets the profile. Look at the slot with magnifing glasses before and after you set the profile the way I said. You'll see what I'm talking about. So after this is done the reed is bent down into the slot a little and then it needs to be striaght with about 20% of the reed end above the plate. Then adjust the gap to your own playing style!
When asking questions like this always state what brand and model harp it is.
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KingoBad
436 posts
Oct 13, 2010
7:39 PM
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My apologies, I mentioned what I use in my second post, but I should have stated that it was a Marine Band.
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chromaticblues
203 posts
Oct 14, 2010
8:37 AM
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@Kingo That's fine I just said that because some of the short slot harps(asian) are more prone to do what you described. Marine bands are a whole other ball game. It may be the comb. I've had that same thing happen after I built a harp and the problem was I didn't sand it enough and there was a low spot on the comb. I have reading glasses and two magnifying glasses that I use when ever I work on harps now! After I statrted using the magnifying glasses all the problems went away!
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barbequebob
1335 posts
Oct 14, 2010
9:34 AM
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With wood combs, one thing to remember before sealing them is to check for any and all saw marks and once you find them, they need to be sanded down flush flat. Even tho they do a considerably better job of making sure the cutting blade at the factory is resharpened at least once a month or every other month, they can still be there, tho nothing as horribly bad during Hohner's crap quality years 1980-1995. Whenever you get a custom harp with a wood comb, before they seal it, they all make damned sure that all the saw marks are gone and the comb is prefectly level all the way around.
Back in their bad quality years, Hohner would sharpen their cutting blades maybe once every 5 years and when those blades staert getting dull, the saw marks get worse. Again, the situation is FAR better than it was from 1980-1995.
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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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