[Harp-L] RE: re-tuning to Spiral (Circular)

[Robert Hale <ynfdwas@xxxxxxxxx>]

I appreciate responses to my inquiry on Spirals. I'm not a
reed-changer (although I could be persuaded) so here's my solution:

(My Spirals are named for 2 hole Draw, with draw 2 through draw 6
identical to LO Melody Maker)

METHOD 1
I was motivated by the desire to re-tune the fewest reeds. C major
plates to G Spiral required retuning 13 reeds, 7 remain the same. (11
reeds on MM)

Blows 1-2-3 are raised a whole step, which is a fair amount of
reed-tip thinning. Silver solder at the rivet-end worked, but tone and
response are a bit reduced.

Blow 10 is lowered a step and a half (3 semitones) That's a lot of
scraping at the rivet-end. Silver solder on the tip is a more
effective way to lower larger pitch changes.

METHOD 2
C#(Db) major plates to G Spiral requires re-tuning 18 reeds, but the 7
reeds raised are only 1/2 step. 7 reeds are lowered only 1/2 step.
Blow 8 is lowered step and a half (3 semitones) and Blow 10 lowered
two whole steps, but are easily achieved with silver solder at the
reed-tip.

Benefits are consistent tone and response, much less torture of the
reeds, and less time by using silver solder on reed tips only.

Robert Hale
DUKEofWAIL.com