Re: [Harp-L] Diatonic Reed Repair at Resonable Prices

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

With an old harp, it is likely that more than one reed might be bad. Several reeds could be out of tune or near death. You may send the harp off to replace one reed and find most of the other reeds need to be retuning. And then, how long will they stay in tune?  


Consequently, it might be cheaper in the short run (or long run) to simply by a set of replacement reed plates. For example, a new Hohner  Blues Harp sells on the Internet for $39 and a set of Blues Harp plates sell for $17. If you can get a new reed and the rest of the harp tuned up/checked out for the same price.


Of course, only the repair tech will know as each harp is different. Not every out-of-tune harp needs a complete reed plate transplant. Some only need minor touch ups. Others will be hopeless.


Back in the dark ages, when Hohner first came out with with replacement reed plates for its MS models, it was cheaper to buy the cheapest Hohner (Big River) take the plates out and put them in your MS harp than to buy new replacement reed plates because the harmonicas had a discount price but the reed plates did not, thus cost more than a new complete harmonica.


As far as sending the harmonicas back to Hohner, you can probably get an estimate before they go ahead with a repair. The Hohner tech will probably tell you if it is cost-effective to tune up and replace the reeds or install a new reed plate. 


After talking with Hohner you would have baseline price to decide whether to go with Hohner or a harmonica repair person. 


The only repair I ever got from Hohner was purchasing a replacement cover for a CX-12 chromatic. I was completely satisfied. 


Phil






 




 











-----Original Message-----
From: ceudoazul <ceudoazul@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, Jan 28, 2014 8:53 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Diatonic Reed Repair at Resonable Prices


Hello Ed and Steve,

Mike Peace on Rt. 66 does repairs for less than the cost of new reedplates.
Search engine," Mike Peace harmonica repairs" for his contact info.
He has refurbished many harps with reeds out of tune for me and I recommend him.

Best,

Brian





++++++++++From: Steve Webb <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Will Hohner replace your reed plates at the shop
    in VA?
To: Ed Vedock <evedock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: 
Message-ID: <CE492E8D-5511-43B9-8637-BD546F12C397@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=us-ascii

Ed..There are a couple of people I remember seeing on this list who do that sort 
of stuff at reasonable prices.
Good to see you on here.
Steve in Minn.

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 26, 2014, at 8:36 PM, "Ed Vedock" <evedock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> I have some harps that just need new reed plates. One bad reed in about a 
dozen Hohners: Special 20's, Golden Melodys, MB's, Big Rivers.  Combs and cover 
plates are in great shape.  I refuse to mess around trying to be my own harp 
tech.  Balogna to that!!  Do they do this sort of thing?  If I'd box them up and 
send them to Hohner USA, would they do that?  If so. Has to be cheaper than 
buying new harmonicas at what they cost now-a-days.  Tired and Retired.      Ed, 
Johnstown, PA +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++