[Harp-L] Igor Flach about steel reeds, reed testing, etc.

[Frank Evers <frank@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi

Late Igor Flach was writing for the german monthly 
Journal "Intermusik". In the april issue of 2007 he published an 
article titled "About the late revival of steel reeds".

Some statements from this article:

Steel reeds were commonly used in harmonicas from their invention to 
the end of 19th century. Of course they were subject to corrosion. 
Then brass was invented as a reed material, because it was seen to be 
more valuable, durable, precious. So brass as reed material was seen 
as an improvement and breakthrough just as stainless stell today.

An attempt to reintroduce steel as reed material was done in 
Trossingen by harmonica manufacturer Hans Eisen around 1940. Wether 
or not these reeds would rust is unknown today. Steel alloys have 
greatly improved since though.

When the 1847 was still at prototype stage Igor got one of the first 
of them and made a bet that he's manage to break a reed within two 
month (or at least bring a reed out of tune). Finally be lost that 
bet.

Seydel actually made test on the longevity of their steel reedsusing 
some machinery simulating playing. The SS reeds impressingly 
outperformed any brass reeds in these tests.

He ends with words that sound very sad today, writing "I'm happily 
looking forward to reduce the maintainance i need to do on my harps 
down to just a few hours a year, in the years to come."
He didn't know his heart would stop beating not even a year after 
these lines were published.

The whole article can be found here (german language):
http://harp24.de/intermusik/Intermusik_April_2007_Seite_6_7_.pdf
-- 
Gruß,Frank