Re: [Harp-L] custom harmonica patents

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

>  Brad Harrison writes:

> "We are also getting very close to coming out with our own reeds  produced 
> here in our shop. We believe this new design and reeds will  launch the 
> harmonica into the 21st Century! Jason Ricci along with a  very few select 
> Top Pro players will also attest to this."

Having made reeds and small-shop reed-making machines, I have the following 
comments.

1. If you can make whole sets of reasonably-priced reeds from stock metal, 
my hat will be off to you. Holding .0001" tolerances on tiny parts like 
reeds isn't easy!

2. IF you expect the reeds to have perceptibly better sound, I think that 
you will be disappointed. If you use a reasonably good spring metal, and the 
reeds have about the same stiffness/response to which players have become 
accustomed, they won't sound any different from those of the big 
manufacturers.  The variation of the flow area as the reed swings through 
the slot produces the characteristic harmonica sound and that is the same 
for all materials.  The sound of Hering reeds (a little less stiff, more 
responsive, and a little less loud) and the sound of Hohner reeds pretty 
much covers the available range.  The sound does not come from the reed as 
from a bell so the material isn't going to have any perceptible effect on 
tone.  Pluck a reed and that's your bell tone.  The thickness profile of the 
reed can affect stiffness and response.

3. If you can use stainless or plated steel you might produce reeds less 
subject to fatigue. That would be a good thing even though they will have no 
distinguishing tone.

Vern