Re: [Harp-L] Reed Durability: The Facts

David Payne <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Mon, 8 Dec 2008 14:35:50 -0800 (PST)

There is one variable that throws a wrench in all of this - reedslots. A test for durability could actually simply throw laurels around the necks of the maker of a sloppy reedslot, that leaks air, thus diverting force from the reed.  I've always believed that durability is not necessarily an indication of quality when the metals are the same. The exception to that would be if there is are some sloppy tuning marks or something to weaken the reed at a specific point. 

The winner of a durability contest could be the worst playing harmonica out there. I say if somebody wants to do it, I'd love to see what happens, information is always a good thing, just keeping in mind that variable. 

So, to take out the reedslot variable, you'd have to take it out of the slot, I suppose, maybe a robot that flicks it back and forth or something, if somebody wants to building a flicking robot.
 _________________________________
Dave Payne Sr. 
Elk River Harmonicas
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 

----- Original Message ----
From: Vern Smith <jevern@xxxxxxx>
To: Brendan Power <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 8, 2008 4:50:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Reed Durability: The Facts

Thanks for that expression of confidence.

It would not be an easy test to conduct because it would require a 
reasonably large set of each type of reed to be statistically sound.

I would suggest that it could be done as follows:

I would suggest that for each brand and type, it would require about 6 sets 
of identical diatonic reedplates.

I would hot-glue all the reeds closed except the Gs in the low octave and 
the Es & Fs in the higher octaves.  I would consider the Es and Fs separated 
by a halftone to be part of the same cohort of 12.

I would build a big platform that would hold all of the reedplates on a 
vacuum box.

A vacuum cleaner tamed by a light dimmer or a variac could produce a vacuum 
of about 10 inches of H2O to work the reeds fairly hard.  The vacuum cleaner 
might have to be replaced because the reeds might outlast the commutator in 
the series motor.  A guage or manometer would be required to monitor the 
vacuum.

The contraption would set up a terrible howl so would require a "soundproof" 
box that could be constructed of  multiple layers of wallboard.  Fluffy 
stuff like caneboard suppresses sound reflection but mass is required to 
suppress transmission.  The pump could not be placed in the enclosure 
because of heat build up.  That would also require construction of a pair of 
"silencers" that would allow passage of air but suppress the passage of 
sound.

The reeds would be checked by placing rubber mats over all but the one of 
interest.  An electronic tuner would determine failure when a reed goes 
(TBD) cents flat.

A timer switdh could run the pump for a measured period and then shut it 
down to wait for the operator to check the reeds at his convenience. 
Checking the frequency of that many reeds repeatedly would be tedious. 
Initially the timer could be set for short periods, then longer periods if 
the data warranted.

Raw data would be the approximate time to failure of each reed.  They could 
be analyzed many ways but life expectancy is usually determined when half of 
a cohort has died.    This way the test could end when half of the 
longest-lasting set has died.

I have thought about how to do this for some time.  Obviously, it is a 
daunting effort.

Vern

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brendan Power" <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 11:25 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Reed Durability: The Facts

> The title of this post is a misnomer, because there are none - just lots
> of claims and counter claims.
>
> I freely admit to making frequent claims that Suzuki reeds last the
> longest, based on personal experience of many brands. Others say the
> same regarding Lee Oskars, or Seydel stainless steel reeds. Hohner
> didn't have a great reputation when it came to reed durability, but
> Steve Baker is claiming that current Hohner reeds are now "extremely
> durable" (Harp-L Dec 7th).
>
> It would be great to have a truly impartial test of reed durability
> under strictly controlled conditions. Then the consumer would really
> KNOW which brand and model is the best in this regard, rather than
> having to rely on hearsay and players/manufacturers' claims.
>
> I can't think of anyone better than Vern Smith to devise and conduct
> such a test. Maybe we should all contribute a few bucks each via PayPal
> to someone like Vern to do a real hard-core test that would leave
> everyone satisfied that fair play was strictly observed and justice had
> been done to every brand.
>
> Will you take up the challenge, Vern? Or at least suggest a way to
> proceed? I know this topic has been visited before, but the test is yet
> to be done.
>
> Wouldn't it be great to know for sure? It would be good for all
> manufacturers and the consumer: the winning maker would get great
> publicity, and the losers would be encouraged to smarten up their act
> before a subsequent test. In fact, it would be great to have such tests
> every couple of years. We, the players, would be the winners.
>
> Brendan Power
> WEBSITE:  <http://www.brendan-power.com/> http://www.brendan-power.com
> YOUTUBE:  <http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic>
> http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic
>
>
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