Jaybird
119 posts
Feb 22, 2010
10:25 AM
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"Blu-Tack" discussed here:
http://groups.google.com/group/harp-l/browse_thread/thread/a917a6785e8bb92b/b6a5087261b8d488?
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www.Youtube.com/Jaybird33066
Last Edited by on Mar 07, 2010 11:58 AM
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isaacullah
750 posts
Feb 22, 2010
1:30 PM
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i have not used blue tak (although I learned about it during that original Harp-l exchange), but I have successfully used super glue many times. In fact, I have a D Marine Band that I tuned to major fifth, and then just used the super glue method to bring back to standard richter... The blue tak method seems far superior, easier, and faster. If you have covers like turbo lids, you could even do an altered tuning during a song. I've been meaning to give it a go.
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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GermanHarpist
1141 posts
Feb 22, 2010
2:41 PM
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It's a nifty trick. I'll have to remember that!
Btw. is harp-l organised as a google group now? Makes it much easier to read..
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germanharpist on YT. =;-) - Resonance is KEY!
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Jaybird
158 posts
Mar 07, 2010
11:42 AM
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I decided to try out this "Blu-Tack" thing for myself. It turns out that the only place to get it is in the UK. I found a guy from the UK on eBay who will sell you a 100 gram package for $6.17 including shipping to the USSA. (My new name for America, but that's the subject of another thread.)
My Blu-Tack arrived in about a week, he sent it air mail.
The only time I ever opened a harp was to change reed plates. I have poor eyesight and unsteady hands and this is my first time tuning a harp. I don't have a tuning device, so I did a google search for "online tuner". This one works great:
http://www.seventhstring.com/tuner/tuner.html
After a few minutes experimenting with the Blu-Tack, I was able to re-tune a badly sharp 3 blow on a "out of the box" D harp. It wasn't hard at all, and the best thing is, it's reversible. I used a very very tiny drop of the Blu-Tack, and applied it with an exacto knife.
I estimate the 100 grams of Blu-Tack I bought is more than enough for 1,000 harps. Pretty good for $6.17 !!
So, if any of you guys want to try a "non-destructive" way of tuning a harmonica, I recommend the Blu-Tack method. It worked for me!
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www.Youtube.com/Jaybird33066
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oldwailer
1099 posts
Mar 07, 2010
12:24 PM
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I bought some too--I think for the same price--haven't gotten around to using it yet though. . .
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lumpy wafflesquirt
176 posts
Mar 07, 2010
2:03 PM
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Blu tack..... aka Smurf $h1t
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isaacullah
795 posts
Mar 07, 2010
2:54 PM
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Another great use for blue-tak is in microphone building. You can use it to make a perfectly custom gasket seal for any element in any shell. I've done this several times. It makes it especially easy to try out different elements in any particular shell, since it's so easy to just pop it off and re-mold it. Also, I use it to adhere the piezo pickup (which is a flat metal disk) in my cigar box guitar. I can quickly change the location of the pickup from, say, right under the bridge to on the sound board or move it further up on the neck a bit. I can totally change the amped tone of my CBG this way... It's very handy stuff!
Next time I get around to cracking open my harps, I'll certainly give it a go in the tuning department too...
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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Tryharp
305 posts
Mar 07, 2010
9:29 PM
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Thanks Jaybird,
I have a G harp, I replaced a reed, but I need to lower the pitch ( cause I didnt have the right reed on a spare ). Ive done it with solder before, but havent got around to getting the solder iron out yet. This looks perfect, I'm going to give it a go.
I had my doubts, about it coming loose and inhaling it, but if Brendan says it sticks, it sticks.
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nacoran
1358 posts
Mar 07, 2010
10:13 PM
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My dad once told me a story about someone who lived in California. Apparently they collected all sorts of figurines. That is a dangerous hobby in earthquake country. I didn't think of it at the time, but they should have stuck them to the shelves with blu-tack. By the time I thought of the solution my dad had forgotten who it was. I was so disappointed.
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Nate
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