[Harp-L] Simple reed adjustment

[Robert Bonfiglio <bon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

With no more than small screw drivers, set of jewelers files, both 
available cheap at Wallmart and a pick to slide under the reeds- I made 
mine from band steel just broken off and ground to be thin at one end, 
but anything thin enough to slide under the reed is all you need.

If a reed hesitates when you play, you need to raise the reed up from 
the plate.  Just slide the pick under the reed until it raises.

If the reed has a lot of air, it is too high and needs to be pushed 
down.  Use a thumb nail near the rivet and push the reed down until the 
height is low enough to start immediately but not choke if you hit it 
hard.

If the reed rings, it is not aligned in the slot.  Slide the pick 
between the close  side and the slot and move it to line up.  Hold the 
plate up to the light to make sure it's even.

After you adjust the reed you may have to tune it up.  Slide a pick 
under the reed and file at the tip.  You may have to remove burrs if 
the reed rings, just use the file.  Use a Korg tuner, the small one the 
size of your shirt pocket is great.  It is for all instruments and 
about $20.

Start on old harmonicas and bend the reeds up and down and tune them up 
and down at will.

If I get custom plates from Filisko, I still must set them up for 
myself.;  After they break in, I still must adjust tuning.  The Korg is 
perfect for this.  I tune for blues the root and 5th high by two cents 
and the third at pitch and the 5th very low.  2 draw up two cents to 
442, 3 draw at 440, 4 draw at 442 and 5 draw at 438.  One draw should 
be raised to 442.

YOU MUST DO THIS YOURSELF!  Why, because how YOU play is not how 
Filisko plays or whoever is tuning.  If you pinch more or play harder 
you need your reeds higher both in pitch and in height away form the 
plate.

This stuff can save your life when your at a date with a stuck or reed 
not responding and you can save yourself!!

Harmonically yours,

Robert Bonfiglio

PS- I do not use tab, just notate between blow F's and draw C's on the 
chromo.


http://www.robertbonfiglio.com