Re: [Harp-L] RE: Fatigue and Reed Life: An Objective Test?

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If I remember correctly, the accordions I've seen have used steel for the low reeds and brass for the highest octave(s). 
I'm not sure to what extent it was used, but I think a lot of companies used steel in accordion reeds. That might, I do not know for sure, date back to before 1900. The engineering problem was bringing it from the accordion to the harmonica. It was harder to make a smaller reed out of a tougher metal and you had this balance of alloy, making a flexible reed that at the same time would not corrode from breath moisture (since you don't blow into accordions). The triumph of the 1847 is adapting the accordion technology to something that would work in a harmonica.

 Karl Pucholt himself had his experience with steel reeds in accordions. By the way, did I ever mention that Karl's son is now a big contributor to Seydel's engineering, working with his dad? That apple did not fall far fom the tree. God only knows what Arndt Pucholt will dream up in his lifetime. 

Dave 
___________________
Elk River Harmonicas
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 

----- Original Message ----
From: Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 7:54:56 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] RE: Fatigue and Reed Life: An Objective Test?

Smo-Joe writes:

"Also, I find it interesting that while Hohner made brass reeds for  
all it's harmonicas AND accordions, no matter HOW expensive they  
might be, they chose SS for Harmonetas."

I am pretty sure that Hohner accordion reeds have been steel since  
before World War II, the same as with most of that industry.  I have  
an early 20th century 2-row diatonic Hohner which has steel reeds,  
and I believe that is from the 1920s or so.







  ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()
`----'



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