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

"Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx> · Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:04:49 -0700

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe and Cass Leone" <leone@xxxxxxxx>

To: "Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>

Cc: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:36 PM

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

On Apr 19, 2008, at 5:05 PM, Vern Smith wrote:

 I have a 270 chromatic in which there is just one SS reed.

BUT, did you TELL anyone there was a ss reed in there.?

Yes.
 Since all harmonica reed slots in a given harmonica (until lately)  have 
been the same width, I think that changing widths could have an  effect. 
For one thing the reeds wouldn't have to be so thin as foil.  I see this 
nowadays in the very highest reeds.

I believe that the #4 draw on a D harp (the E) goes out because it is  in 
that grey transitional area where it is just thick enough to do  the job. 
If the slot and reed were narrowed, and the reed thickened,  I think it 
would be PAST the danger area.

Changing only the width of a reed does not change its pitch.  Another way of 
saying that is that a wider or narrower reed would not be thicker or thinner 
to sound at the same pitch. It might change the loudness slightly and would 
definitely change the amount of breath required.
Hohner may have changed the width of the short reeds to save breath on the 
high notes.  The change in width from .08" to .07" would save the player 
about 13% of his breath.  If it cut the sound energy by 13%, that would be 
only -2 db and hardly perceptible to the listener.
If you find this difficult to believe, do the following mental experiment:
Imagine two identical reeds vibrating side by side.  Their shape at every 
instant is exactly the same. Bring them closer and closer together untill 
they are touching.  Since they are moving exactly together, there is no 
rubbing.  Now glue them together, and there is still no change.  Then weld 
them together so that they are the same piece of metal...still no change. 
After the weld, the resulting single reed is twice as wide but still 
vibrating at the same pitch.
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 realize that the 'Harmie'  was an 
(comparatively) expensive instrument, but what about the  Meisterklasse or 
better yet the Silver Concerto. That's why I have  always said (and got a 
lot of heat FOR it), that the harmonica is a  comsummable instrument. It 
may just be the world's first throw away  item.

Only way to get a lasting harp? Make it yourself.
smo-joe

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

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