MJ
204 posts
Nov 01, 2010
8:47 AM
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One of my harps has a slight buzz on the 1 draw. Only when I begin,and then not all of the time. What causes this? Is there a remedy?
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MrVerylongusername
1339 posts
Nov 01, 2010
8:58 AM
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Could be reeds hitting the cover plate - is it a low key harp?
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chromaticblues
251 posts
Nov 01, 2010
9:03 AM
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If it is a harp you can take apart I would do that and hold the draw plate up to light with the reeds faced toward the light. What you'll most likely find is that the reed isn't centered in the hole. take a .002" feeler gauge and stick it in between the reed a the side of the slot that the reed is closest to. Put it in at an angle and slowly slide it toward the rivet and straighten the feeler gauge at the same time. Go easy you don't want to twist the reed. Go easy and just keep checking it in the light. When you think you got it use the feeler gauge to lift the end of the reed about an 1/8" and lit it go. Do this with some of the other reeds to get an idea what it should do. If it is center just take a small balpenned hammed and a punch and hit the rivet on the reed side. The rivets are sometimes lose. If that isn't something you want to deal with.Send it to me and I'll gladdly take care of it for you!
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MJ
205 posts
Nov 01, 2010
9:08 AM
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Yes it is a low key.
I will try the gauge and see if that helps. Thanks for the timely response and advice from both of you.
Last Edited by on Nov 01, 2010 9:08 AM
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chromaticblues
252 posts
Nov 01, 2010
9:28 AM
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Yeah he is right the first thing to do would be to make sure it isn't gapped to wide open. On some of the more low profile coverplate harps the draw one can hit the cover if it is gapped to much or your attack is to hard!
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nacoran
3132 posts
Nov 01, 2010
10:28 AM
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Play it really lightly and see if it goes away. If it does, there is a good chance it's hitting the cover.
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MrVerylongusername
1340 posts
Nov 01, 2010
12:32 PM
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It is counter-intuitive, but if it is the reed hitting the covers, you might want to slightly INCREASE the gap, it'll reduce the response of the reed and might just tame it sufficiently - it's a balancing act.
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isaacullah
1221 posts
Nov 01, 2010
4:01 PM
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Yeah, if it's a low key then it is almost certainly the reed hitting the cover. Gapping wider can help, but it's more of a technique thing than anything else. Just practice adjusting your attack when playing hole 1. It has to be lighter than you are used to. I started with low keys a few months ago, and I'm still getting used to altering my attack at hole one, but I can now do it so there is no rattle. It's something you have to get used to for sure! and FYI, the lower the harp, the more susceptible it will be to "rattle", and the more careful you have to be on your attacks.
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MJ
206 posts
Nov 01, 2010
4:23 PM
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I checked the gap and it seems alright. I think that being a low tuned harp I need to be a bit gentler with the attack, as Isacculla suggests. when it has buzzed was usually as I began, admittedly rather aggressively.
It is the low D that I posted about earlier. Got it from Rockin Ron in 2 days as usual. I also have a low F that I have been using a lot. It is to me a real nice low level sound for unamplified playing. Very easy to listen to and not to intrusive for those who don't care to hear it. lol. Once again thanks to one and all for the response and good advice.
Last Edited by on Nov 01, 2010 4:23 PM
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