Re: [Harp-L] 2 draw reed on new MS plates

[David Payne <dmatthew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Something I can add to Rupert's solid advice... There is a quick way to test it 
to see if that's what the issue is (it probably is that). You can hold the 
reedplate on its ends with your thumb and ring finger of one hand and plink with 
the other. Apply just a little pressure with your fingers on the ends of the 
reedplate so that the reedplate bends slightly and then plink. If your problem 
is a scraping reed, it will plink differently under this pressure and it will 
probably just be a dead slap instead of a dead ring. What you do when you bend 
that reedplate SLIGHTLY (you don't want to actually put a lasting bend in it, 
OK) is make the reedslot narrower and magnify the problem.  If you can't find an 
obvious burr, you could try altering the alignment of the reed slightly. If 
nothing obvious works, keep in mind that unless there is a burr somewhere, reeds 
pretty much always slap the inside of the reedslot on the corners of the reed, 
due to the laws of geometry. 
When you hold it up to the light, you can apply that pressure on the ends (as 
described above) and look it at it. Narrowing the reedslot in that way might 
very well make the problem more visible, if it's not under normal conditions. 
You can check for misalignment of the reed by running a .002 shim between the 
reed and the slot. Using very little pressure, see how far the shim will go 
toward the pad before it stops. Do the same thing on the other side. If there is 
a difference in how far the shim will go down the reed, then there is an 
alignment issue. The reed will need to shift to the side where the shim goes 
down furthest toward the rivet pad. 

Another thing you can check if all else fails, is take a pair of pliers and 
apply pressure to the base of the rivet pad. If it plinks fine, the rivet isn't 
holding the reed properly. If it still plinks dead, you're scraping the slot for 
sure. 

David




________________________________
From: Rupert Oysler <orupert@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wed, February 2, 2011 11:24:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 2 draw reed on new MS plates

It sounds likely that the reed is slightly contacting the slot, not enough to 
buzz, or to stop, but enough to deaden the sound. Often it is hard to actually 
see this, since just a small part of the reed can just be slightly touching 
anyplace along it's edge and in it's travel through the slot. Try holding the 
reedplate so light is visible between the reed and slot edge (often holding over 
a piece of white paper with good light shining on it will work). Gently and 
slowly push the reed into the slot and let it return, several times, while 
observing what happens. Do this from both sides of the reedplate. Experiment 
with looking different ways to account for parallax. Even if you do not see the 
point of contact you will probably be able to determine that one side of the 
reed is passing closer to the slot. Work on that side with a small piece of 
abrasive paper (or possibly just a piece of feeler gauge, or one of those 
security strips will clear it). By continuing this process, and plinking in 
between, you should arrive at a clear ringing. Sometimes it will deaden again 
when attaching the reedplates to the comb, due to the slight change when 
tightening the screws. Then you can do some more clearing and try again....

Hope it helps,

Rupert Oysler
www.seydelusa.com


On 2/2/2011 8:31 AM, tom cox wrote:
> Hi
> 
> I have just recieved some MS plates key of Ab. Began checking reeds for gapping 
>etc and curvature. There seems to be a real problem with the 2 draw. Basically 
>it sounds really weak and doesn't ring like the other reeds. I have tried 
>gapping and profiling the reed to remedy this problem but it isnt really making 
>any difference.
> 
> Doe anyone have any advice on why this might be the case, faulty reed, or do i 
>just need to persevere a little more with the gapping etc.?
> 
> I have a bit of experience in gapping etc and am not new to it, I usually have 
>good results etc. It just sounds dead in terms of ring and playability. Any 
>thoughts and comment would be great from you techs and customizers.
> 
> kind regards
> 
> Tom C