Re: buzzing chromatic

[Ri58066217@xxxxxxx]

There could be any number of things wrong that are causing this problem.  Two
possible solutions to this problem are:

Take off the covers of the harmonica.  Look at the valves covering the 4 draw
hole.  See that the valve is lined up properly over the reed slot.  If it
isn't, then you will have to reglue the valve to the metal plate.  Sometimes,
if a valve is not covering the entire reed slot, it tends to buzz.  Another
possible solution is to unscrew the screws and bolts that secure the reed
plates to the comb (this is the part that is either wood or plastic and looks
like a comb).  Hold the plates up to the light, and see if you can see light
surrounding the entire area around each one of the reeds.  When a reed is
secured to the reed plate, the reed is positioned in such a way to allow
space on either side of the reed, and at the front of the reed.  This allows
the reed to vibrate properly.  Sometimes, the reed is positioned a little to
the right or left, and it may touch the side of the reed slot.  This may
cause a buzzing sound.  You can take a .001 piece of metal (the kind that you
use to adjust the gap on spark plugs) and CAREFULLY slide it from the front
to the back (on either side of the reed) to adjust the reed to allow the
proper amount of space to appear on each side of the reed.  

All this may sound very complicated to you, especially if you have ne ver
opened up a harmonica and done some minor maintenance on it.  I suggest that
you find someone that has some experience in doing maintance on the
instrument, and have them look a the valves and reed plates.

There are some harmonica maintance books you can purchase (don't know the
names of the current ones right now.  Maybe someone on the BBS may know).  If
you are going to play the chromatic harmonica for a long time, you should
definately learn how to clean and do minor maintenance to the instrument
(such as glue valves and adjust reeds).

One of the easiest ways to stop the valves from sticking, is to take a small
screwdriver and slide the blade between the top and bottom part of a valve.
 This will separate the two parts of the valve, and stop it from sticking
(you get that popping sound when you play the harmonica).  If you have played
the instrument for a long time, saliva from your breath accumulates on the
valves and reeds.   After you are finished playing, let the harmonica dry
(out of the box).  This will help to eliminate the sticking valves.  

Richard Martin