[Harp-L] Chrome plating reed plates

[karen mass <kdmass7@xxxxxxxxx>]

this isn't a very good idea.

first, it would have to be done with all the reeds removed, as the plating
will enlarge them in all three axis, and would greatly change their pitch.
the reeds will no longer fit in their holes.
second, it would decrease the size of the holes, making it completely
impossible for the reeds to vibrate in place, even if the reeds were
removed prior to plating and replaced afterward.

after plating was complete and reassembly was attempted, the holes for the
rivets would be too small, and forcing the rivets or screws into those
holes would cause the plating to break, exposing the brass underneath.
clearing the reed holes would also result in plating breakage.   in my
experience, plating breaks like old paint chips.  irregularly and prone to
creating strips of unplated metal.

i imagine there might be some way to mask parts of the plate (without
reeds) to avoid these problems, but i have no idea of what they are, and i
certainly can't see any benefits from plating.

keep thinking outside the box though.   lotsa good stuff comes from that!

iowaplayer