Re: [Harp-L] RE: Bad reed I think

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Both Vern and Siegfried  have pointed out my omission.  Certainly a reed 
can be twisted in the slot and that can cause it to not sound.  It's not 
something I've ever seen a lot of in stock undropped diatonic 
harmonicas.  With customs which may have tightened reed slot tolerances 
it's a fairly common problem.  It also happens if you drop a harmonica 
and it hits upon its end. I will take Siegfried's word regarding an era 
of production where a manufacturer had significant problems keeping 
things straight in the slots.  While I own hundreds of harmonicas I 
don't often buy new ones, seldom purchase anything new or stock and 
really haven't bought an off the shelf harmonica in over the decade. 
Maybe 3 total.  My sample is small.  Vern is correct, a reed that won't 
hold a tuning is on its way out, a reed that won't sound and sticks in 
its slot has had it.  fjm