[Harp-L] Current Hohner reeds

["Jeffrey Spoor" <jeffrey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe Spiers wrote:

<<Reed failure is mostly caused by player technique and poor resonance.  
Bending notes to pitch (it sounds better anyway) instead of the floor of  
the bend (very flat- sounds bad) will help make most reeds last a very  
long time.

The latest Hohner reeds are softer and theoretically more durable. The  
quality control is as good or better as any of them. They've fixed a lot  
of problems they had. But, this softer brass also causes them to flex  
differently. The flex area affects the limits of what I can achieve with  
tone, volume, response, and tuning stability. I think they play well  
stock, in fact a lot of the Marine Bands will OB right out of the box. But  
they won't give me what I want from them when modified. The older,  
harder-brass reeds are a lot more work.... but the end result is a harp  
that feels, sounds, and plays just a little bit better for what I need it  
to do.

JS>>


Joe just a quick question, I've talked to two different guys that have  
said the exact same thing....the sucked the reed right OUT of the  
harp......stock MB's..........is this explained by the softer brass or  
poor QC, I can't personally atest to their technique......just  
curious.....(really, I'm not poking the fire with a stick, just want to  
know)

Thanks.......Jeff



--
Jeffrey Spoor - Owner Maker
Cumberland Custom Cases

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