beng
9 posts
Apr 13, 2009
5:52 AM
|
hey guys...
using a special 20 MB in Bb...it was sounding lovely, but at some point the 7 hole draw just gave up on me. it just squeals, wheezes, and croaks completely out of tune. it's not me, it's the harp, because it used to work find. i've done adam's atm slip trick and lifted the reed a bit, but it doesn't seem to help. any ideas would be great - it's my favourite harp
thanks
ben
|
JoetheMagician
6 posts
Apr 13, 2009
6:13 AM
|
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/430693.htm
Here is where you might find some helpful information.
----------
Joe Jesse
|
beng
10 posts
Apr 13, 2009
7:28 AM
|
thanks for the link - i just saw it before posting mine, and took all their advice. still doesn't want to play nice...i've taken it completely apart, loosened both reeds...blown in every way i can think of and it just wheezes...really squeaky and out of tune.
|
MrVerylongusername
240 posts
Apr 13, 2009
7:49 AM
|
Well, I'm not 100% convinced that it isn't a technique thing as described in the other thread, but here's a way of checking.
Luckily, because it's a draw reed in question, you only need to remove the coverplates at this stage. The draw reedplate is the bottom one. With a toothpick or cocktail stick, very gently flick the end of the reed. It should make a nice, musical plinking sound. If it sounds muted and dull, then the reed is broken or obstructed in some way - dried spit, chunk of food, sticky sugary drink, misaligned in the slot, burr of metal on the slot edge etc...
|
beng
11 posts
Apr 13, 2009
12:25 PM
|
hey, you are correct....broken reed. all the others sound great, and the 7 just plucks muted. anyway of fixing it? or do i buy a new Bb? thanks
|
MrVerylongusername
241 posts
Apr 13, 2009
1:03 PM
|
Well it is possible to replace a reed. You need to punch out the rivet, swap the reed for a similar one (from another dead harp for instance) fix it with the rivet you just removed or a miniature machine screw and retune the reed. There are instructions at www.harponline.de and probably on Youtube somewhere.
Personally I'd just replace the harp.
7 draw is an unusual reed to blow out, it'd be worth working on drawing a little softer.
|
bluzlvr
162 posts
Apr 13, 2009
1:27 PM
|
It is unusual for the 7 draw reed to go bad, but it happens. A few months ago I ordered two Bushmans (F & C) and two Seydels (Bb and D). As of now after barely using them, both Seydels and one of the Bushmans all have a bad 4 draw reed. And I don't play real hard. I'm starting to think of it as bad luck on a molecular level. (Those bad molecules - OOOOOH how I hate them!)
|
MrVerylongusername
242 posts
Apr 13, 2009
2:00 PM
|
4 draw (the 5th in 2nd position) is a very common reed to blow out. Think how often you wail on a 4 draw in a blues. It probably gets worked harder than any other reed.
|
