[Harp-L] why I like steel reeds

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

I like the idea of steel reeds. After looking at the ocilloscope  
graphs supplied by Seydel e Sohn, you didn't have to drop a brick out  
house on me for me to see that the readings for brass & steel were  
NOT the same. Similar but not the same. Wouldn't work with DNA.  
Different suspect.

1... If one takes a music box clock work mechanism, one notices that  
there is a tiny 'comb' inside into which a number of tines are cut  
somewhat resembling the teeth of a comb. There is a small barrel  
covered with tiny pins. These pins pluck the tines and produce a  
sweet tone.
The pins are steel, the tines are steel.
 There is NO channel around the tines. The tines are right next to  
each other.

2...If one takes a harmonica, one notices that the reedplate has  
slots in it into which are placed a number of reeds. The reeds are  
separated ansd sit in their own channels. These reeds are activated  
by breath. The breath is soft. The reeds are brass. When you pluck  
these reeds there is a muffled tone. Why? When you activate them with  
SOFT breath, they sound...well...softly. (by comparison)

3...steel accordion reeds are bright WHEN the box is open

4...steel harmonetta reeds are bright WHEN the box is open

Back to the Seydel graphs. There were more 'skyscrapers' in the steel  
skyline. The 'city' that the steel produced had the appearance of a  
more prosperous city. I am no sound engineer but the steel graph just  
looked fuller. I don't know what this means from an engineering  
viewpoint, but I know that I LIKE what I see, and I have a way of  
knowing stuff that even 'I' don't know I know. And I know that steel  
just LOOKS good.

I'm hoping my ears can bear me out. Keep in mind that I like bright.  
Some players prefer the 'mellow' tone of brass reeds.

smokey-joe