Re: [Harp-L] Reed response

[David Payne <dmatthew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Maybe you have reeds striking the emboss. When that happens, you can get a buzz, but you can also get no buzz, but instead a reed that just feels dead. Hold the reedplate up to the light and check alignment.  Alignments are never perfect at the factory, they don't have to be, and they weren't set for an embossed harp. You can remove whatever little bit of emboss is in the way, or if there is room on the other side, you can just scoot the reed over and it'll be fine. If this is the problem, the reed won't plink lively at all. It'll plink dead.

Dave
________________________________
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 



----- Original Message ----
From: Mike Fugazzi <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 7:31:27 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Reed response

I've been working really hard on my broken harps to learn to customize mine own harps.  I have noticed that after embossing, arcing, and gapping that my harps sound a little softer and don't necessarily respond quickly.  I am not choking reeds.  I've tried a bit of tip scooping, and widening the gaps, but they still aren't where they need to be (in relation to some of my better playing harps).  Sometimes the overblows sound a little drafty.

The harps I am working on aren't total throw aways.  Most just need to be retuned or have one broken reed.  They aren't in awful shape.

Thoughts?  Speed is important.  Not because I play fast, but I want to be as fluid as possible.  


Mike Fugazzi
Vocals/Harmonica
http://www.myspace.com/niterailband
http://www.youtube.com/user/NiteRail
http://www.twitter.com/NiteRail


      
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