RE: [Harp-L] XB-40 Harp

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

> I purchased a XB-40 some time back, and am having a hard time getting a 
> good sound out of the hi end. I've tried playing softer, centering my lips 
> over the hole, and thought maybe there was just a break-in period I had to 
> go thru. I either get no sound, a squeaky sound, or on rare occasions out 
> comes a clean sound.
> Could anyone shed some light on what I'm doing wrong?
> Regards Don

You might not be doing anything wrong, Don.  I bought two XB40s, one in G 
and one in low D.  They were both pretty well unplayable when I first got 
them, mostly due to incorrect gapping, especially but not exclusively of the 
lowest auxiliary reeds (the ones that don't sound).  The low D still feels 
much tighter in holes 7-10 than in the other holes despite all my efforts to 
adjust it.  Generally I find you have to play them hard to get good 
response.  I do use them in sessions occasionally, and they certainly pack a 
punch volume-wise, but I'm not in love with 'em, not by a long chalk.

Steve

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