Rontana
281 posts
Feb 01, 2016
7:06 AM
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This is a spin-off from the Marine Band (pro or con) thread. However, some of the comments tweaked my interested in learning to modify my harps just a little.
I know how to gap a harp (and don't feel a need to emboss at this point). What I'm looking for are some links to videos that describe the proper way to convert an MB to screws, sand combs, replace reeds, etc.
I've got a workshop full of equipment and know how to use it (I do luthier work) but I've never worked on harps (except for gapping and opening up the backs). I suspect some specialized equipment might be required for some of this stuff?
Thanks
Ron
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SuperBee
3328 posts
Feb 01, 2016
12:31 PM
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I think andrew zajac has some video on his site that would be what youre looking for.
Conversion is relatively straightforward. Trickiest part is pulling nails without unwanted side effects.
Ive converted a dozen or so, and about to do 7 more. I just prepped them for the drill in my lunchhour. That involved pulling 6 nails from each harp. Leave the plates attached to the comb, but you want to pull the 3 nails that attach the back of the plate to the comb. Equivalent to the screws in a deluxe or crossover.
In the past i have used a thin blade to split the plate off the comb sufficiently to raise the head off the plate and allow me to get an edge under it, but yesterday i found i could get most of the nails out without doing this. The danger in using a lever between comb and plate is that you may bend the plate and subsequently have a poor fit which requires further work to correct.
If you intend to use an aftermarket comb, i.e. you dont intend to use tge comb that came with the harp,you can soak the harp, swell the comb, then set it aside to dry out. That will tend to loosen the nails, as the expanded comb will push tge plates and later shrink back, leaving a slight space to slip your blade into..doesnt always work but if youre replacing a warped or swelled comb there is not much to lose.
Use the nail holes on the draw plate as your pilot holes.
Drill these appropriately so you can tap for whatever hardware you intend to use. I use 1.6mm x10mm pan head. 12mm is better maybe, to attch covers with anut certainly.
The blow side needs a larger drill to clear the shaft.
Richard Sleigh may have some free video on sanding combs too. Not quite sure, but it may be about a jig he made to help with the task
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Crawforde
53 posts
Feb 01, 2016
12:43 PM
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Good idea, and luckily we shouldn't need anything to specialized for harp work except maybe that rivet tool that just came out , https://youtu.be/qPHpq473 ,if you are into changing reeds and custom tunings.
Also check out some of Andrew Zajack's combs and tools, http://harp.andrewzajac.ca/ I have some and a couple of his combs. Add a nice file and screwdrivers and a soldering iron and its tuning time. It doesn't seem like much work, and basic maintenance is pretty straightforward , but for anything big, or on a new harp I would probably still have one of the pros do the work.
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Rontana
283 posts
Feb 01, 2016
1:08 PM
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Thanks guys
Yeah . . . just the basics beyond gapping and opening the backs is what I'm looking for. Mostly replacing the nails with screws . . . and maybe reed replacement. I've got tons of files and screwdrivers (jeweler size . . . I use them for lots of stuff on guitars) and various soldering irons lying about
I'll check out the Zajac and Sleigh sites
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SuperBee
3329 posts
Feb 01, 2016
2:01 PM
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there are a couple choices involving hardware. I tap the plate to receive the bolts but if you use a longer bolt you can use nuts to fasten them. Saves a tap, but uses more nuts and perhaps less convenient at service time. More convenient than the pins though. I just had to order more hardware. I had 100 bolts but when you use 7 per harp they do add up quite quickly. And good quality hardware is not peanuts. I spent $30 on stainless nuts and bolts yesterday. That will keep me going for a while though. Maybe it'll see me out.
Opening the backs was subject of a thread on main page recently. Some useful posts in that one.
thread link
The title suggests it's about sp20 but of course it goes OT and deals with MB too
Last Edited by SuperBee on Feb 01, 2016 2:05 PM
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Killa_Hertz
404 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:19 PM
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That was alot to read ... so i just didn't. But in skimming it seams you have the majority. Andrew Zajacs Site i want to reiterate is great. You should be pretty good with that alone.
I make most of my tools. You can do alot with a bench grinder and a set of feeler guages. Pretty much make any tool that is sold. I could post a pic of my feeler guage swiss army knife...lol. You have files, thats good. I have a set of picks that come in pretty hand. And small screw drivers. A good light for sighting reed shapes if you go that route.
The razorblade trick works well for removing the nails. DONT TWIST IT. watch andrews videos he ll explain why. It can damage the comb.
But you seem to be pretty hands on. You ll be ok. It's not rocket surgery. But it is addictive. Have fun.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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