RE: [Harp-L] Re: Gail's response to Elizabeth and Question for Panel

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

> A question for the panel  at large?  I'm playing a double-sided CG Hohner
> Echo Tremolo Harp - a 56/96  (24 Reed, if that's how it's described?).   
> The
> top/bottom cover  plates (rivets came out) fell off  so I'm actually having 
> to
> hold it  together while I play.  Leaves the mouth a bit sore at times (I 
> should
> own  stock in Blistex).  Guess my question is multi-fold: 1)  CAN one
> tongue-block on such an instrument?  2) Is it worth having it  re-riveted?

You really would think that, by now, Hohner would have stopped using those 
hateful little pins to hold bits of harps together.  You just HAVE to prise 
off the folded-over ends of the Echo covers to do any maintenance, and they 
just deform and the holes in the comb-ends are now too big so the pins drop 
out... I don't know whether you can obtain replacement pins, but I harvested 
a whole batch of suitable ones from an old, busted Hohner chromatic - the 
ones that hold the reedplates on (another potential source of teeth-gnashing 
frustration for the occasional tinkerer), which I need for my Echos every 
now and again.  Try to insert the merest splinter of wood into the holes 
before reassembling, which should hold the pins a bit tighter.  Sheesh.

I don't tongue-block at all myself, but I don't see why it shouldn't be 
possible....

Steve

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica

Steve's CD of mostly traditional Irish,  "Blowing Through The Reeds,"  is 
now available!  Hear clips at http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm