[Harp-L] Re: Low C Harps

["Michael Timler" <mail@xxxxxxxxx>]

> Message: 13
>
> Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:38:58 +0000
> From: "Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 30, Issue 47
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <BAY104-F24436F84F29548620B23FA2FB0@xxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
>
> > > I crave a Low-C!
> > > But: what I really want is a Special-20 Low-C -- is there such a thing?
> > > thanks
> >
> > No, but any competant customiser can tune a Low D SP20 down a whole tone 
> > to
> > Low C.
>
> > -- G.
>
> I have a 364 "low" C but I'm not especially happy with it. It's a big, 
> ungainly beast in the mouth compared with > a SP20. I was looking at the 
> Seydel low Cs but they are pretty pricey, much dearer than the 
> standard-pitched >harps, and I was wondering whether this reflected a 
> structural problem needing modifications or just the fact that >they don't 
> expect to sell many. When you say it's not too hard to lower a SP20 low D 
> to a low C would you just >be using normal tuning methods (by which I mean 
> metal removal), or do you need to add solder or whatever? I >have a low D 
> kicking around that I could have a go on, but twenty quid is twenty quid!
> ;-)
> Steve

The topic with low tuned harmonicas is usually, that the low reeds do not 
touch the covers while playing.
Therefore most manufacturers stop at the lowest level possible avoiding to 
introduce different covers which arises production and logistic costs. This 
used to be LowD though many hard blowing players even there can cause the 
reeds to touch.
What Seydel could make was to balance the reed profile, slot length and 
cover design in a way that the problem of reed touching is optimized, which 
leads to the fact, that we can even produce a LLF.
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.storefront/?ObjectID=11717&Locale=en_GB

If you buy a Porsche you pay more for this car though it carries you along 
the same road, am I right?
Special features must have a price, that should be players tribute to the 
fact that factories really have to pick up money to make these things 
happen, don't you think so?

Yours
Michael Timler
www.seydel1847.com