[Harp-L] Reed problem

[Rick Davis <bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>]

Yesterday while practicing I blew out the 4-draw reed on a stock Special 20
in the key of C.  First the reed seemed to stick for a second, then it
played very badly.

When I took the harp apart the reed appeared normal but seemed to barely
touch the side of the reed slot.  I could not see a way to fix it
without indlicting more damage on the fragile reed.  I didn't see any
foreign matter on the reed or reed plate.  Rinsing the harp had no effect.

Is this fixable?  What should I do the next time this happens?

What about harps with replaceable reed plates.  I don't much care for the
Hohner MS harps.  The Lee Oskar reed plates are much cheaper.  Do you have
opinions regarding these systems?

I very much appreciate any help you can offer, but please resist the urge to
lecture me about playing too loud.  I play the way I play.  I'm looking for
equipment solutions, not opinions about how to play the harp.  We could go
for weeks on that red herring.