Ian
226 posts
Jan 14, 2016
10:26 AM
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So I got it in to my head the other day that I wanted to fix up my old marine band. Its the first harp I ever purchased, sometime in 1998 I think. It has sat with a swollen old comb, leaky and unloved for years. So I did my best at fixing it up.
I sanded the comb flat, leveled out the tines and sanded them to a more rounded profile on the ends.
Then I clear lacquered it all over, gave it 4 coats...
Then flat sanded it again.
Then sanded the draw comb and converted it to screws.
I did a light kit of embossing at the bottom end and made sure the gaps were right.
Finally I opened up the back....
Thankfully I have improved it rather than made it worse. Its airtight, feels great and looks a lot better than it did.
However it was a learning curve to say the least. I took a few wrong turns especially during converting to screws but i turned it round and managed to secure it with 3 screws.
I can't see myself doing it again with a newer harp on the line ... Ill leave it to the pros I think.
Nonetheless, pretty pleased with the results.
I'll try to upload photos in a bit.
Last Edited by Ian on Jan 14, 2016 10:28 AM
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Ian
227 posts
Jan 14, 2016
11:04 AM
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Ian
228 posts
Jan 14, 2016
11:05 AM
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Killa_Hertz
233 posts
Jan 14, 2016
2:48 PM
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Haha! That's exactly to the T, what my first custom job looked like. The rounded tines, lackered comb. Thats funny.
Looks great man!
Does it play alot better now?
I will say that no matter how well i try to flat sand a comb, it doesn't come out playing half as well as a custom comb. Even tho it helps alot.
If you put a Zajac or Blue Moon on that thing Now that you ve done all the other stuff, i guarantee you youll be blown away.
I would also suggest forgetting about embossing and focus on learning how to properly shape your reeds. It's tough, but in my opinion THE most important and most impactful to playability. I haven't embossed any of my good harps. Im stiil practicing on old ones and used ones ive bought just to butcher. But im not sure emossing is really that necessary.
The better i get at it, i just can't believe the difference.
Also I'm not sure how you did the screws, but you can buy it all (screws, tap, tap vise, nuts if u wanna use them) on Zajacs website. Screws are like .02 cents a piece or somethin. I use custom sexbolts from rockin rons for the covers tho, but you can just use the little nuts and bolts zajac has.
Your first ones outta the way now. And it looks Awsome!
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth...
Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Just a lil' HaHa HooHoo on the 3/4 - 4/5!
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 14, 2016 2:54 PM
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MindTheGap
990 posts
Jan 15, 2016
12:14 AM
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Nice work. Looks like a very satisfying thing to do. You really not going to do another?
Can you try to describe in words what it feels like to play before and after? Is it just better all round or do some things work that didn't before?
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jan 15, 2016 12:16 AM
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SuperBee
3231 posts
Jan 15, 2016
12:56 AM
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good thing Ian. i think thats the best thing; when they're broken and you bring them back for another go. that makes sense to me
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Ian
229 posts
Jan 15, 2016
2:42 AM
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Yeah, it definitely plays better now. The rounded and lacquered tines makes it a lot more comfortable to play too.
Before it was pretty leaky around the 3 draw, it's not anymore.
Before I worked on it it had a very swollen and distorted comb which was really interfering with playability, it also had a dud 5 draw (which turned out to be a bit of crud that had cemented itself on to the inside of the plate).
Before playing it was uncomfortable and hard work. It's now allround smoother, faster and generally playable.
I MAY do another in the future, but I'd need to ensure that I have all the right tools and I suppose after this time I'd approach it a little differently.
Oh, and I got the screws etc from a VERY broken tombo folk blues. In the future I'd try to get all the bits off arzajac or someone.
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Killa_Hertz
247 posts
Jan 15, 2016
3:12 PM
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I'm glad it plays better for you.
BTW.
All the stuff is cheap. Pin vise, tap and screws. All for about $10. The embossing is the risky part that's why i just skip it. Also Cus i suck at it.
The way i see it. I can buy aMB deluxe for almost $60. Or i can buy an 1896 for about $35 ... plus $20 for a Custom comb. Add a lil elbow grease n some tuning and i got a much nicer harp.
I'm not sure how u did this one, but this is one thing i figured out the hard way. Take your nails out 2 at a time (one on top and coresponding one on bottom) then drill a hole. This way all your holes match up better because the harp is still held together. Once i get down to the last couple nails, i put the coverplate screws back thru the harmonica to hold it together and pull the nails out. For what is worth. Might help you out. You should do another one. Make em all play better.
It's not for everybody, but i like it. I'm a tinkerer. 8^)>
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......." Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?" .......
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 15, 2016 3:22 PM
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Ian
231 posts
Jan 15, 2016
5:02 PM
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@killa, yeah I learnt nt that one the hard way, managed to save the day in the end but, No I didn't leave enough pins in as I was going through.
Out of interest, on yours do you use a drill press or do you go freehand? As I don't have a drill press, nor really the urge to get one.
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