RE: [Harp-L] learning to be your own customizer

["steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Boy.. I have had nothing but good things to say about Sp20s over the 
past 2-3 years. They are very good out of the box and most don't need 
much tweaking at all to make them play well.  They last me a long time. 
I also like the Bushman Delta Frost, but it tends to bend just a little 
stiffer on holes 2 and 3, in my opinion.
As far as someone said about Hohner making reed plates available as a 
remedy?  It was my understanding that Hohner made Sp20 reed plates 
available because there was enough demand from people like me who want 
to work on their own harps.  But if you are not able to make them play 
like you wish, or if they blow out too soon, that might be as much 
personal issues as manufacturer.
Believe me, these harps and so much better than what Hohner was putting 
out back in the 80s and 90s.

Steve Webb in Minn. where the temp is 2 above and the wind is still 
blowing.


On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 9:47 PM, pdxharpdog@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> IÂimagine there are others like myself who play SP20s as their main 
> axe of choice.ÂWith SP20s, the qualityÂI get out of the box from my 
> supplier varies immensly. Some are really good, and others play stiff 
> and weak.Â
>
>
> I have made it a goal this year to get proficient "under the hood". I 
> have Ruperts videos and have perused the youtube chronicles on 
> customizing from the logical sources. I have purchased a table-mount 
> lighted magnifier so I can get up close to the reed plates.ÂÂ I have 
> attempted to work on the reed slot gaps, but frankly have had many 
> more failures than successes. The only thing I have learned to be 
> competent doing to a harp is tuning.Â
>
>
> For the life of me I can't tell why the good ones are playing better 
> than the crappy ones. I have bought custom harps and taken them apart 
> to see if I can tell the difference from stock, but still can't say I 
> get it.Â
>
>
> ÂIs this something you have to apprentice under a master to get?ÂWho's 
> doing that?
>
>
> Thanks and Happy New Year to all of you on Harp-L !
>
>
> Ross Macdonald
> www.sassparillapdx.com ÂÂÂÂÂ