[Harp-L] Re: out of the box harps

[Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

My own findings on the current Hohner chromatic reeds is that they are not better then the pre "X" series plates.

A record number of repairs on both 270 and Tenors have been coming across my bench. The thing is all the problems are occurring with the reeds having the new profile. I've yet to have to replace a reed on holes 1 thru 5 on any standard C "X" series  270.  The same with the Toots models and 16 hole models. It only the narrower reeds that are failing. 

I have one customer that is a gentle tenor player but I'm constantly replacing  reeds on holes 10 to 12 on her harps.
Lately I've been seeing it on tenor CX-12s.

Customers tell me they've only owned their harps about 6 to 9 months before the reeds start to fail.

I would love to regain my respect for Hohner products but my whole business has been built around the reed so it's there that things need to be improve IMHO.




Take care
Mike
www.harmonicarepair.net