e56505
32 posts
Dec 21, 2009
11:46 AM
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I recently lost my L.O. in the key of G. Two year old may have confiscated it. Question: is it common for the lower key harps to not bend smooth? L.O. that I had would go from no bend to a half step all at once not gradually like the higher keys would. Id like to try a G.M. but I dont know if they still have nails holding them together instead of screws because undoubtedly I will have to tweek them reeds. Feedback please
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tookatooka
904 posts
Dec 21, 2009
11:52 AM
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The bend should be gradual if it's set up right. If the gapping was not quite right, it may have meant that it needed a little extra intake of breath which could have made it jump down to the bend.
Not sure about the nails question but I think not with the later GM's.
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mickil
746 posts
Dec 21, 2009
1:07 PM
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The lower key harps are harder to bend on the low reeds, and the higher key harps are harder to bend on the high reeds. GM's no longer use nails.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
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hvyj
31 posts
Dec 21, 2009
2:30 PM
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GMs are no longer put together with nails. They use screws. LOs have much better compression than GMs and so will usually bend easier.
Low key harps require a softer attack to bend and for the low bends you need to open the throat to do it. Low harps will not respond well to a sharp attack. High keys can generally be played with a sharper attack.
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Shredder
76 posts
Dec 21, 2009
4:23 PM
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@e56505,
I'm an active gigging musician and play G/M's 98% of the time. Never had a problem with a smooth bend, and I have all the standard keys. I do play a L/O Hi G. some times. The G/M bends smoother but the L/O is still a good harp for the price, they just have their on personality.
Harps are like cars or trucks, not every one likes Dodges or Chevys but they are still good products.
Mike
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2009 4:24 PM
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bluemoon
9 posts
Dec 21, 2009
5:13 PM
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I just grabbed my GM in G and had no problam with a smooth bend on all the lower holes. Also they are definately put togather with screws.
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e56505
33 posts
Dec 21, 2009
7:37 PM
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Thanks, alls I have to do now is get to the music store before my 2 year old reveals my L.O.
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Violin Cat
108 posts
Dec 21, 2009
11:45 PM
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It is common for low notes on GM's to make a vibrating/rattling sound on the low bends because of the shape/height of GM's Coverplates the bending reed actually hits the coverplate. You can fix this by raising up the coverplates by bending that little lip on the mouth part of the coverplates. You can also sometimes simply try loosening the coverplate. This is why Th GM Low F was run for such a very short time and the other lower keys were very shortly run. All the good customizers pretty much do that to any kind/model of harp they work on. Its fixable.
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