HarmonicaMick
99 posts
Feb 19, 2010
10:44 AM
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It happens on this one harp - a Sp20 in Bb - when I bend the 3 draw down a tone or a tone and a half. It's not a rattle, not a side-to-side buzz, more of a squeal.
Here's the sound clip, which will open in a new tab. I'm just playing each note on hole 3, twice.
I've never had this happen before so I'm pretty sure it's not my technique. I'm not too bothered about trying to fix it. Rather, I'm just curious as to why it's making such a strange sound.
This isn't something I recall coming up on here before.
Thanks in advance.
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Last Edited by on Feb 19, 2010 10:46 AM
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Kingley
876 posts
Feb 19, 2010
10:51 AM
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Here's some things it could be.
The reed might be catching in the slot on a tiny burr. It could be slightly misaligned. Or it could be the seat of the reed isn't flat with the plate and is moving slightly when you're bending it.
The first two are an easy fix. Just hold the plate up to a light source and move the reed through the slot to see if it's centred properly or if there are any burrs (you may need a magnifying glass).
The third one can usually be fixed by a tiny dab of nail polish or wax on the rivet head. So I'm led to believe.
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HarmonicaMick
100 posts
Feb 19, 2010
10:57 AM
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Thanks, Kingley.
I should also say that it doesn't happen on a half-step bend, played softly or otherwise. I can't be bothered going down the DIY route, I'm too lazy. I'll just order another plate. Rather, I just wanted to expand my knowledge a little. Though, thank you anyway.
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Last Edited by on Feb 19, 2010 11:02 AM
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Rick Davis
227 posts
Feb 20, 2010
5:48 AM
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Mick, I had a Special 20 harp in E that made a noise similar to what you describe. It happened on the 2-draw bend. Actually, it was kind of a cool sound, but I got tired of it after a while and tried to fix it, which ruined the harp. A new Marine Band did the trick.
I think it was the reed catching on a tiny burr in the reed slot.
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-Rick Davis
Blues Harp Amps Blog
Roadhouse Joe Blues Band
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tookatooka
1245 posts
Feb 20, 2010
6:05 AM
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That is a weird sound Mick. Almost as if another reed is resonating in sympathy.
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barbequebob
517 posts
Feb 20, 2010
10:14 AM
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One thing you may want to do is take it apart, and when you put the reed plates back to the comb, once you place the screws back, don't tighten them right away and keep it just open enough that you can play with the positioning of the reed plates, and some harps, especially Brazillian made harps like Hering and Bends, you sometimes may have to do that to find where it stops squealing because the two reeds aligning together properly is a big factor with those harps, but I have heard this on just about every brand of harp ever made. You are more likely to hear this squeal if you tend to bend too hard and go to the very floor of the bend all the time.
Sometimes it is a burr, but less likely to be that.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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HarmonicaMick
101 posts
Feb 20, 2010
1:27 PM
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Thanks all. bbqbob, I'll try your suggestion tomorrow. That's very little work to restore a sqealy harp.
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