Re: My New Blackbird

["Mark Lavoie" <lavoie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Larry,
Your approach sounds reasonable! Check the gap on the draw reed and see if
it is High . Compare the gap to the no 2 hole draw.
If you like the way the no 2 responds, then gap the no 3 draw reed so it
looks almost like no 2.

What I do is push down on the tip of the reed and when I release the reed it
is usually almost level to the reed plate. Then I will pluck the reed , (you
can use the tooth pick )and the reed will rise to its resting position,
which will be slightly higher.

Try playing it and see how you like it. The no 3 hole is the tricky one to
get right. Some times the tuning will drop slightly and you will have to
bring it up a little. Other times it stays dead on!

If you over do it and the reed plays tight, then VERY SLIGHTLY lift the reed
and try it. You will be amazed what the slightest move will accomplish.

Give it a shot and good luck.
Stay tuned!
Mark LaVoie
lavoie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.middlebury.net/lavoie/


- ----- Original Message -----
From: <mlpratt@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 2:40 PM
Subject: My New Blackbird


>
> Sorry for the double post if this appears again.  I'm testing different
source
> computers.  I'm not sure which one is working.
>
> My new Blackbird arrived yesterday, just in time for an "out-of-the-box
> assessment.  I bought this harp, as it is promoted by my harp teacher,
Fred
> Yonnet.  Yes, I'm trying to learn OB's.  Wish me luck.  I'll report back
in
> about 100 years.
>
> So, out-of-the-box.  Its funny about assessments.  Something can be great
in
> almost every aspect, but one annoying feature can blow the whole thing.  I
like
> this harp and think it will be servicable with some adjustment.  Its very
well
> made, feels good in the hands.  I like the way the comb protrudes just
slightly
> ahead of the covers.  Its easy to  feel the comb and holes.  For the most
part
> its fairly responsive.
>
> So what's the annoying piece? The 3 hole draw requires WAY too much air
for the
> reed to respond.  Its VERY difficult to bend at all, much less with any
> accuracy.  I'm going to wait until I break-it in a bit to give it a chance
to
> improve, but I expect that the reed is too high, i.e., gap to big.
>
> I'm not real confident with gap setting, but I know I have to learn.  My
> thought is to take off the covers and GENTLY push the reed down a
littlest,
> tinyest bit.  I would use a stroking technique from the middle of the reed
to
> the free end.  I'd do this a few times with a toothpick or something that
would
> scratch the surface of the reed.  Then I'd check to see if it made a
difference.
>
> Does this sound like a reasonable approach?
>
> Regards to All,
>
> Larry Boy Pratt
>
>
>
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