Re: [Harp-L] Second reed failure on a Suzuki Fire Breath

[Ken Deifik <kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard Hunter wrote:
> my first Fire Breath, in C, had a complete failure on the blow 4 reed 
> after only a few hours of playing.  I have now had a similar failure, this 
> time on the draw 5 reed, on the Bb instrument.
>
> Suzuki's service team has been attentive and helpful.  But any service has 
> to be delayed to some extent, and a blown reed is a problem instantly.

As I mentioned a few months ago, my Fire Breath in D went out at the 
beginning of a recording session.  I'd been playing it for about a year, 
however.

Suzuki, actually Os Leguizamo at Suzuki, sent me a new D.  He also replaced 
a new B, whose action never felt very good.  (I don't monkey with harp 
reeds - my forays into that field have been astonishing failures.  One of 
the things I love about both D's and the B replacement is that they do not 
make me regret my lack of the small motor skills needed to do useful work 
on them.)

I've practiced both new harps into wonderful shape.  The reed blowout 
factor scares the heck out of me because they are the best harps ever for 
my playing approach, and I intend to keep using them.  It is hard to 
recommend them, however, until Suzuki announces that they've solved the 
problem.

K