Re: Re: [Harp-L] sp-20`s, MS, etc.

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave Shannon wrote:
> With regard to embossing, I'm guessing you drag the penny over the 
> reed slot on the non-reed side :-)

Not meaning to answer for Richard, but no, it does no good to emboss 
the opposite side of the reedslot.  Embossing occurs on the side 
with the reed.  The idea is to narrow the clearance between the 
edges of the reed and the slot.  

> But which way do you drag across the slot? Can you be more 
> specific.

Again, not to infringe on Richard's technique here, but the flat 
side of the penny (or whatever tool) is perpendicular to the long 
dimension of the reed slot, with the penny touching both side of the 
slot equally.  Run the penny from the tip up toward the rivet end, 
not so far that you deform the reed too far down in the slot.  This 
is largely gauged by experience and feeling.  How hard to press is 
also a matter of experience.  Press too hard and the reed binds on 
the reedslot edges, not hard enough, and, well, it doesn't really 
have any effect.  

I'll add to Richard's regimen, adding a touch of nail polish to the 
corners of the reed slot at the rivet end to head off any potential 
squealing during bends or overbends on those non-Hohner harps.  

Just for good measure, I'd check them with a tuner.  ;-)

-tim

Tim Moyer
Working Man's Harps
http://www.workingmansharps.com/