[Harp-L] Special 20s "built in obsolescence"

[Tony Renshaw <tonyrenshaw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am 1 year into things, and am getting frustrated with the ease at which 
the Special 20s blow out, or actually bend out. This last C of mine lasted 
only about 3 weeks and I don't think I was working it all that hard. In 
fact, I have been in different keys of late, so I reckon it hasn't lasted 
well at all. It seems they go flat quickly, and I reckon it is the tuning 
method in the factory that puts many diagonal scores in the base of the 
reed, where it later cracks. Not good method I reckon. If the reeds need to 
be flattened initially, well there is something wrong with the initial reed 
design. I would have thought a reed should only have to be sharpened by the 
factory. If I am right, well this is built in obsolescence. I was told by a 
seasoned performer that he uses Lee Oskars as they are significantly 
stronger reedplates. Is this true? Even my one and only customised is off 
pitch on one hole using my guitar tuner, and my ear too surprisingly, but I 
daren't take to the base of a reed intentionally. Any advice or opinion 
gratefully appreciated.