|
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Chromatic drop a reed a full half-step. Possible?
Chromatic drop a reed a full half-step. Possible?
Page:
1
TheATL
80 posts
Feb 27, 2026
2:17 PM
|
This may be off-topic in which case, please just move on.
I have a large Hohner 64 Chromatic (Model 280). The low three-blow is tuned to G#. I want to drop it to G. Anyone know whether this is possible? Small diatonics are one thing. This huge chromatic is another. I don't want to start filing without knowing I can drop it that far.
Thanks
Brad
|
dougharps
2387 posts
Feb 27, 2026
5:06 PM
|
That sounds unusual. If you are certain you have the correct reed and are certain it is tuned sharp, then yes, you can drop it 1/2 tone, but it may be tricky. A chromatic tech might be safer than DIY.
Blow note reeds are not easily accessible without removing the correct reedplate. Early 280s were straight tuned and used pearwood with nailed on reed plates (unless modified). Newer models had plastic combs with screwed on reed plates and were cross tuned. If the holes in the slide are straight it is straight tuned. If the holes zigzag, cross tuned. If you work on reeds on a cross tuned harp be careful that you have the correct reed!
If the 280 is wooden, don't take off both reedplates at the same time or the comb may twist.
Also, reedwork on a 280 means working around or removing windsavers or valves.
There are two ways to lower the pitch of a reed. One is to remove metal near the base of a reed very carefully. This may weaken the reed, but can be done successfully in small increments. The other is to add weight at the reed tip, usually with non lead silver solder, epoxy, or blutack poster putty. This last approach is reversible, and lasts if done correctly. I used it after replacing a reed on a 270.
Unless you are comfortable in working on valuable instruments and willing to risk messing it up, I would advise against DIY. I would find this challenging, especially if is nailed on wood! Raising pitch is much easier and safer than lowering pitch.
----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Mar 01, 2026 8:45 PM
|
TheATL
81 posts
Mar 01, 2026
1:19 PM
|
Thanks very much Doug. This is great information! The harp is straight-tuned except for the three-blow. It is one of the newer ones with the plastic comb. I looked closely and someone had filed off the tip of the reed to raise it to the G#. I am comfortable working on chromatics and know my way around gluing combs, replacing wind savers, etc., so I jumped in and gave it a try. I was able to drop it back down to G. I used Richard Sleigh's technique of removing more material from the sides of the reed than the middle. It is back together and seems to work just fine. Of course, the reed may now fail near the rivet because it is too thin, but I will keep my fingers crossed.
Brad
|
dougharps
2388 posts
Mar 01, 2026
8:21 PM
|
I am glad my information was helpful!
I had read (but forgotten) Richard Sleigh's technique. I never used it, but I like it! Using that approach makes reed failure much less likely than removing metal across the entire reed near the rivet end.
I didn't know that there were plastic body 280s that were straight tuned. I have an older rehabbed straight tuned 280 I bought at SPAH that is wood with a repaired crack. It was converted to screws so if it needs work in the future I won't have to deal with prying out little nails.
Do you know if 280s were onece sold straight tuned with a plastic comb before Hohner switched to cross tuned?
Is it possible that your reed plates and straight tuned mouthpiece were mounted on a new plastic comb when a wooden one cracked?
----------
Doug S.
|
Post a Message
|
