Tuckster
80 posts
Jan 16, 2009
6:35 AM
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This is a question for Chris M. or other harp customizers on this forum. I have a certain (unnamed) brand of harp where the 4 blow has gone flat-maybe a half step.Not just one of that brand, but every one. I have an A,C,D,and F. I have two Hohner Pro harps that have lasted me a year,gigging at least once a week, with no problem. I can't remember killing the 4 blow on any of my other brands. So is it me? I do tend to blow quite forcefully,but my other harps(mostly Hohners),keep on ticking. Is it possible they use the same thickness of brass stock to make the 4 blow reed for all keys and just vary the length? Seems to me that after the offending brand is played a while,it settles in to a different pitch. Can I file the tip of the reed to bring it back up? The reed isn't fatigued,just off pitch. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. I did read the thread on Harp-l about this.
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LIP RIPPER
22 posts
Jan 16, 2009
9:35 AM
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LOOK UP GUSSOW LESSONS 16,17. MY FOUR DRAW WENT WAY SOUTH. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK ON THE MONEY. I JUST USED ANOTHER HARP TO FIND THE PITCH. I THINK IT WAS FOUR BLOW ON THE D HARP.
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MD1032
20 posts
Jan 16, 2009
7:31 PM
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Probably needs to be opened up since you're using so much air, causing the pitch to go south. Open it, then file the tip to increase the pitch.
Last Edited by on Jan 16, 2009 7:32 PM
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harpwrench
6 posts
Jan 16, 2009
8:11 PM
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If it's off pitch a half step, it's toast. The blow reed is the reed that sounds when you're bending the 4 draw all the way down. If you're doing that while playing hard, that'll do it.
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Tuckster
84 posts
Jan 18, 2009
1:15 PM
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Well, not quite a half step--just flat enough to drive me nuts! Really think its a bad batch of reeds,since no other brand has ever did it. Don't play 'em any harder than others. E-mailed the manufacturer,but no reply so far. Thanks,guys.
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Violin Cat
11 posts
Jan 18, 2009
4:29 PM
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Everyone has a note they blow at a lot at certain points in their playing that goes bad consistantly...It is ofcourse possible that "X brand" that keeps going bad is just a little weeker but why note on the other holes? Who knows either way don't feel bad and I wouldn't worry too much about changing your playing all that much...softer IS ussually better but screw it just keep fixing/replacing that reed if you like the harp and your playing....I have know idea if that helped or not...I'm gonna shut up now.
J
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Buddha
25 posts
Jan 18, 2009
5:17 PM
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the four blow usually goes because you are cranking on the four draw bend. It's a style thing. Hard or soft just play the way you play.
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Tuckster
85 posts
Jan 18, 2009
7:39 PM
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So it is me. LOL Thanks, guys. Guess I'll have to give up on that brand of harp. Bummer! I really liked them other than that. I'm used to Hohners,which IMHO,need to be rode hard to get anything out of them.They seem to have this threshold,where you have to give a lot of breath force to get the reed vibrating.Once its vibrating, you can back off. The other brands I've tried seem to have much lower thresholds. My band plays loud,I still blow hard like they're Hohners. Guess I'll have to adjust to that.
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