Chinn
12 posts
Nov 09, 2009
6:30 PM
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I've been pushing myself to build my chops and learn new things on the harp. I've played for most of my life, but only recently have I really pushed myself hard. As I've done that, I have also tried to learn how to maintain my gear.....
In the past, I've learned basic guitar setup, installed bridges, pickups etc. I also had a business for quite a while making and tuning competition grade duck calls. FWIW, duck calls are actually very highly tuned single reed musical instruments.
So, on to the point of the post....
After watching a bunch of Youtube vids (thanks to all the guys who have done those), I did two harmonicas last night. I took two dead/worn out Hohner Blues Harps and turned them into two really nice harps again....
I started by pulling the covers and opening the backs up. I also buffed the covers to a near new shine.
Next up, I pulled the reedplates from the comb and polished them up. I followed this with truing the combs.
Finally, I embossed the reed holes and gapped the reeds.
After re-assembly, I now have two really nice playing 20~ yr old harps.
With a little luck, I may be able to get some pictures posted.....
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toddlgreene
105 posts
Nov 09, 2009
7:02 PM
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And now you have something to be proud of, because you did it yourself. The only downside is that you're gonna have a really hard time wanting to play your other harps now!
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GO SAINTS!
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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nacoran
367 posts
Nov 09, 2009
8:02 PM
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The first (and second) harps I tried customizing are now so much scrap metal. (Actually, that's not true, I've regapped a couple harps without destroying them. It's the embossing and re-arcing afterward that kills me.) Kudos on still having something you can play.
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tookatooka
757 posts
Nov 10, 2009
3:10 AM
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*****SPAM ALERT*****
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Sirsucksalot
82 posts
Nov 10, 2009
3:12 AM
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It may be spam but its fun to read. Everything is gold.
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KingoBad
128 posts
Nov 10, 2009
6:06 AM
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Pretty impressive. Not that there is any use for spam, but how much more useless could it be posting it here?
Fry the Jackass and send him a turd in the mail.
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GermanHarpist
690 posts
Nov 10, 2009
8:50 AM
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MODERATORS, if you delete the spam please delete the posts connected to the spam too. Not leaving any artifacts...
Thus the thread can continue in-disrupted. Or if the spam was the first post,... just delete the whole thread.
And, oh yes, ban that sucker!
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 8:54 AM
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eharp
347 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:13 AM
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chinn- are you gonna move on to trying your hand at modding a new harp?
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scrybe314
25 posts
Nov 10, 2009
6:24 PM
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"In fact, we would like to compare happy, also can adopt an old monk's advice"
-Liping
This piece of wisdom changed my life and the way I think about and play harmonica! I'm honored to be in your presence, oh wise-man of the blues harp!
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Chinn
13 posts
Nov 11, 2009
2:07 PM
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I guess I missed all the spammy fun.....
EHarp, I plan on trying to mod a new one. I still like the Blues Harp better than any others I've tried (MB's, Suzukis, Kays, GM's) so I'd like to see what I could do with one of those. Would be interesting....
One interesting difference I've found between harps is the materials. I fixed a ProMaster that was sticky on the bottom two draw and blow reeds and then embossed it. The Hohner reed plates were sooooo much softer than the Suzuki. All the difference in the world. I guess that reminds me that I could quickly make a pile of scrapmetal....
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Chinn
14 posts
Nov 18, 2009
11:49 AM
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Well, I guess I cannot leave well enough alone.
I have a brand new MB in Bflat. I wanted to see what I could do with it, more specifically the covers.
I rolled the rear cover edge to open the back up completely. Next up, I drilled the covers and comb for some 4-40 bolts. Finally, I trimmed the cover mounting ears down.
Bolted everything back together, and it plays pretty nicely. I can tell a bit of back pressure is gone, but it is a small bit brighter and louder.
I did not touch the reeds on this one, because it frankly plays quite well as it is.
I guess I'll play it a while, then see if I should emboss and gap it....
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