GermanHarpist
710 posts
Nov 27, 2009
9:50 PM
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I've experimented a little with gapping. The only thing that really worked was adjusting the gaps to ob (which is only closing the draw and especially the blow reed, as far as I see).
Then there is the matter of making them more or less responsive. I didn't really figure out the correlations there... Gapping doesn't seem to make too much of a difference and they work good enough anyway.
Then there is the matter of finding the right gaps for bending. With all bends except of the 3 hole it is no problem anyway. The bends are mostly very smooth and no problem. However the third hole (where it matters the most) doesn't seem to bend good enough on most harps.
So, how should the gaps be so that it bends easily?
Or is there some other trick?
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
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GermanHarpist
712 posts
Nov 27, 2009
10:50 PM
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Hey, I checked out the harmonicaSpace website and found the solution. Simply gap the blow reed extremely close. I did it and it worked.
Could have checked it previously. It even has a Customizing/Repair board...
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
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mickil
664 posts
Nov 28, 2009
5:23 AM
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Thanks, GH. I'll check that out when I get another harp like the one I just mentioned in your 'the joke that is Hohner' thread.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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GermanHarpist
720 posts
Nov 28, 2009
11:58 PM
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mickil, maybe I exaggerated a little... it's about lowering the blow reed anyway.
That's the original link on harmonicaspace - link.
EDIT: ok, not quite sure if it was this one (can't find the info on it any more...). Anyway, there are about three gapping threads on harmospace. One of it said that as the blow reed needs to respond sicely when bending it shouldn't be gapped too far. Thus closing the gap should help.
The next time I regap my harp I will start by lowering the blow reeds.. and then just adjust the draw reeds accordingly. Somehow this seems sensible.
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2009 12:15 AM
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RyanMortos
497 posts
Nov 29, 2009
3:55 PM
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GH, once you get it right be sure to let us know. I'm struggling with this right now I can get everything tighter but some things come out too tight & seem to not bend or 6ob is amazingly simple to hit but I can't get the normal 6blow anymore :D . Learning to set up reeds is fun, huh?
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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GermanHarpist
724 posts
Nov 29, 2009
11:20 PM
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Yup, worked like a charm. That low E plays beautifully now.
Because I read that both reeds correlate, I started by gapping all the draw reeds pretty close (just approximately). Then I began with the real gapping, as described above, with the blow reeds. Alsways gapping them as close as possible (until they block) and then I slowly increased the gap until it played nicely. I tested it by blowing into the harp with a cough. Thus simulating a sudden hard attack.
Like this I went up through all ten holes. Then I did the same with the draw reeds. Then I just checked all holes again. Played various holes randomely and checked if the attack worked.
Without gapping for overblows all overblows 5 and 6 play smoothly and overdraw 7 works more or less reliable (for the first time).
That was my first harp. I'll post my experiences once I gained some... ;)
Yup Ryan, it's fun.
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
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GermanHarpist
725 posts
Nov 29, 2009
11:24 PM
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I should add: The reeds are gapped IMO surprisingly close - the draw but especially the blow reeds.
I'll continue checking out gapping by going up the scale. That was a SP20 low E, next will be 1847 low F, then MB G, MB A, etc. etc. I have the suspicion that the lower harps are easier to gap.
Cheers MBH-forum. Harpfirends rule!
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germanharpist on YT. =;-)
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mickil
667 posts
Nov 30, 2009
4:03 AM
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GH,
I think I read somewhere that those stainless steel reeds can be quite hard to work on - hardness of the metal or something.
On such an expensive harp, it's probably worth bearing that in mind.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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