Re: [Harp-L] How did my harp go out of tune?

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

The only thing that can be affected by the environment that you describe is 
a wooden comb.  Look for a warp or crack from the hot, dry environment.  It 
may have gotten too dry and shrunk away from the reedplates.  Tightening the 
screws may help. Your favorite harps may not have shrunk because they got 
more frequent doses of moisture when you played them. Dipping it in water or 
playing it for a while might cause the comb to swell and close any leaks. 
Vow to never again buy a harp with a wooden comb.  Wood is weak & unstable 
and doesn't sound any "warmer" than metal or plastic.

If you can't find any comb problems, check each reed with an electronic or 
software tuner (such as downloadable AP Tuner.)  A pitch problem with only 
one reed can cause the "sourness".  Pucker and carefully play the notes one 
at a time.  It may be that you have one "sour" leaky note and the others are 
OK. If two reeds are sounding when you blow/draw in one hole, there is a 
leak between chambers from a cracked comb.

If it is sharp, look for some gunk (foreign material) in the clearance 
between the reed and the slot and near the rivet.
If it is flat, look for some gunk on the tip.

If you can't find any gunk in or on the reed, than it must be tuned or 
replaced. From your question, I assume that you are not experienced in 
tuning or replacing reeds but are able to replace a reedplate.

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

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "samblancato" <samblancato@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 9:48 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] How did my harp go out of tune?


> Hey Folks!  Happy New Year!

> I have a puzzler for you people.  I have a couple of Herring Vintage 
> harps;
> a G, A flat, A, and a D.  The A flat, A and the D are in my truck most of
> the time as part of my little set of car harps.  I almost never play the D
> as the D key and up are not my favorites to play. So, I pick it up during 
> a
> lunch break to play it and it is woefully out of tune.  I mean it really
> sounds sick, not just sour octaves but really sour.  How did this happen?
> I've never tuned or tweaked this harp at all other than an occasional
> tightening of the reed plate screws (Vintages tend to loosen over time). 
> I
> realize that it's outside and is subject to lots of temperature change but
> this hasn't effected my other car harps so what gives?  Any input is
> welcome.  Thanks.
>
>
>
> Sam Blancato, Pittsburgh
>
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