Sirsucksalot
12 posts
Jul 29, 2008
11:35 AM
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i bought 2 new marine bands and a couple reeds on them are sticky. so much so that they wont even sound. iv heard that you can sometimes adjust them. i just want to know if there are any methods someone can share to help me.
Thanks
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LittleJoeSamson
4 posts
Jul 29, 2008
1:21 PM
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This is why I stay away from MB's. Can you get a refund from where you purchased them? I wouldn't mess with them until then.
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Patrick Barker
99 posts
Jul 29, 2008
2:14 PM
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No refunds with harmonica- Mr. Gussow tells how to gap in this lesson: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fkqmXP9IVyg
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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Preston
28 posts
Jul 29, 2008
3:22 PM
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O.K. fellas, I've got a little experience with this over the last several months. Self taught, but hopefully my trials and errors will help you out.
First thing: Go to your local auto parts store and buy a set of feeler gauges. They are about $5.00 U.S. and are definetely worth it. Make sure you get the ones that go all the way down to .002 (very thin). You can use this to get inbetween the edges of the reed and the plate.
I know of at least three things that cause a reed to stick. (Be aware there is a lot of trial and error here, but those reeds are tougher than you would imagine.)
#1: There is a burr of metal somewhere around the edges that is hitting that reed and stopping it from vibrating.
Solution: Use the feeler gauge as a "file" to go in and remove the burr.
#2: The reed is off set, and an entire side of it is hitting the reed plate.
Solution: Slide the feeler gauge between the two and using the feeler gauge as handles, gently pull the reed over into place.
#3: The gap is too tight. Use something to push it away from the reed plate. I use some utensil I found in my wife's manicure kit. Not sure what the hell you call it, but it works great. I've heard of tooth picks, and I even used to use a small straight screwdriver, but if you slip a screw driver can scratch a reed.
Hope my descriptions are plain enough that it helps. Good luck, and remember: patience.
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Tuckster
14 posts
Jul 29, 2008
4:50 PM
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Adding to what Preston said: if the gap is too small, a good rule of thumb is to make the gap the thickness of the reed,i.e. the thicker the reed the bigger the gap. Hohner seem to almost always need gapped.After gapping, give it a "plink" to make sure it settles in correctly.just gently flick the reed.
Last Edited by on Jul 29, 2008 4:51 PM
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Anonymous
Guest
Jul 29, 2008
5:55 PM
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Hohner USA will warranty them. If enough people complain, maybe they'll come to their senses and make necessary changes.
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Sirsucksalot
13 posts
Jul 30, 2008
7:09 AM
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Thanks everyone, that will help a lot. iv tried all kinds of harps, but you just cant substitute the sound marine bands make.
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Preston
29 posts
Jul 30, 2008
9:34 AM
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As far as the thickness of the gap, I don't follow the thickness of the reed idea. I've heard that myself several times, but the gaps can only be properly set by playing them one at a time and tweaking them meticulously. I have never been able to gap all 20 reeds on a harp and then put it back together and take of playing. Each one takes a couple trys to get it to where it plays just right.
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