Re: [Harp-L] Removing Windsavers Question

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <r_mcgraw@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 1:49 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Removing Windsavers Question


> Removing windsavers from a chromatic would make it easier to bend? Is this 
> correct? What would I lose on the chromatic by removing windsavers? And 
> how would I go about doing this? [Obviously I couldn't be more ignorant 
> about this subject :-)

In the C3 and C4 lower octaves, the unplayed or "opening" reeds open under 
the applied pressure and leave very large gaps through which air leaks.  In 
these holes, the reeds will seem balky and unresponsive.  As the reeds get 
shorter, stiffer, and higher-pitched this effect is less pronounced.  In the 
highest three holes, the reed slots are usually unvalved.

This is more important in chromatics because a certain amount of leakage 
through the clearances in the slide is unavoidable. Thus an "airtight" 
chromatic has no leakage through the unplayed, valved reeds and a small 
amount through the slide to adjacent holes.

Because the reed pairs are on opposite sides of the chamber in a diatonic 
and side-by-side in a chromatic, the size and shape of the chambers are 
different and may respond differently to the sound pressure variations. The 
amount of bending is limited by the interval between the reed pitches.  In a 
Richter-tuned diatonic this interval is a minor third in hole 2 and a major 
third in hole three. The maximum interval in a chromatic is a major second.. 
This will make bending in the chromatic quite different.

Even on a valved chromatic both draw and blow slightly. I find it easier to 
bend the blow notes.  This is fine for musical effects but usuallu not 
sufficient to obtain another note. On my Hering chromatic, I can bend C4 
down the Bb3, but cannot do so on my Hohner chromatic.

It wouldn't be too much work to remove the two windsavers in a hole (button 
unpushed), see how you like the bending leakage as a result, and replace 
them if you aren't pleased. Just pull them off to remove them.  Then scrape 
away the old glue and glue them back on.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website: http://www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com

> WVa Bob
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