Hi all, I brought a new E harp yesterday as my old one was really leaky. This one plays great, the only problem it that when I bend the 2 draw I get the notes but I also a king of glassy squealing sound.
Any ideas on what might be going on and how to fix it?
Does sound like reed alignment. I was taught to take out the reedplate and look at the offending reed with a light source on the other side to sillouhette the reed to see if it is aligned well in the slot. If not may need to be adjusted.
I think Bluzdude's approach is correct. Hold it against a light source and see if the reed is parallel to the reed slot or if it touches the slot somewhere.
I'd say you need to check the draw reed. But since you have to take it apart: check em both ;)
As for adjusting the reed: if it's riveted it shouldn't be a problem. Just gently push it into the right position. If it's welded: no clue what you can do.
Last Edited by on May 12, 2009 8:01 AM
i seen a video some where on youtube saying there could be little "burs" or something on the side of the reed. so you take like a real thin.....um....i forget what there called its those things that have differnt gauge metal things that are used to messure clearence when doing a head gasket on a car. but you take one of those an slide it in an out aganst the side of the reed on both sides. then check in the light to see if it looks good. ill see if i can find the video....
no thats not the one im thinking of. a feeler gauge was the name of the tool im thinking of. that what he used on the side of the reeds.
Last Edited by on May 12, 2009 5:29 PM
Yes a feeler gauge .002" thick. put it through the gap on the opposite side the reed is attached at about a 45 degree angle. Good luck!! I've acually took the reed out before and cleaned up the slot. And that didn't work. This happens for different reasons. If it is a burr its easy.
if it is a draw where you are getting the squeal look at that plate if a blow look at that plate, look at all of the reeds with them backlit. It doesn't necessarily have to be the reed you are blowing or drawing if it is misaligned I THINK vibrations can still produce nasty sounds. If you find a reed misaligned try to straighten the reed but only use a tool to press against the riveted end where it is square, by putting a little pressure on the near(reed end not rivet end) corners of the square until it is aligned. Testing for burs always a good idea.
Last Edited by on May 13, 2009 9:59 AM
When I emboss I've noticed a tendency for the 3 draw reed to rotate a tiny amount anticlockwise on its rivet. I use the ball end of a tuning fork and I'm very careful to keep it straight, but I don't take the reed plate off the comb to do it. Anyone noticed a similar problem? The 2 draw, if I over-emboss, rights itself by being plinked, but this is understandable, as it is always heavier than the 3. The 3 is light enough to have problems and to require rotating back into position, something I'd rather not have to do.
Last Edited by on May 13, 2009 1:17 PM
Andrew, you may be having a bit of the same problem. I would always take the plate off and check alignment before you start. It may be wrong out of the box and by embossing you are making it worse. In any case make sure you push the reed down into the slot as you emboss. If you hold it straight down into the slot it should be ok. Unless you are embossing heavier on one side then the other, in that case the shape of the slot is changing not the position of the reed
Last Edited by on May 13, 2009 1:55 PM
The way I straighten a misaligned reed is by putting a slip of paper under it (they are always draw reeds - I don't touch blow reeds yet) and then using the flat edge of a penknife blade pressed along the long edge of the reed it seems to work.
I've noticed when I open new MBs, even MBDs, there's often scrape damage to the reeds (sometimes quite deep gouges) from where they remove the plates from the jig, I assume. And that damage is diagonal in such a direction that it would rotate a reed anticlockwise.
I think you are all right, but it isn't always a burr or misaligned. I don't believe anyway. I've had trouble with this. I 'm beginning to believe it's from the reed not being striaght! I seem to have had some luck with this lately. I put a thick feeler gauge under the reed and roll it gently with a socket. You have to go easy and reset the gap after. Budda am I imagining this or that it?
