Re: [Harp-L] Chromatic repair

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

I would proceed as follows:

Examine the back of the comb for splits in the wood at/near the sites of the 
bad notes.

Examine the exposed edges of the reedplates to see if they are still 
touching the comb.

Tighten the mouthpiece screws and the cover screws to see if this has any 
effect on the bad notes.

Remove the covers and examine the outside windsavers on the blow reeds. 
Your problems could be windsavers either curled away from the plate or glued 
down to it by gunk.

Play the coverless harp in a good light in front of a mirror.  Observe any 
differences in windsaver behavior between reeds that play well and those 
that don't.

Now remove the reedplates and examine the inside windsavers on the draw 
reeds.

Examine the partitions between the reed chamber for splits or extreme 
warpage.  Leakage between adjacent reed chambers is just as bad as leakage 
to the outside. See if a warped partition is touching a indsaver or reed.

Hold the plate up to a fluorescent bulb and look for reed misalignment or 
obstructions in the bad notes.

In old chromatics, problems with the wooden comb and the windsavers are 
frequent.  Problems with the reeds themselves are possible but much less 
likely.

There are only a few reasons that a reed will not sound.  They are not 
mysterious and not different in a diatonic or chromatic;
- Not enough air..e.g. .blocked by a stuck-down windsaver or leaking away 
somewhere else.
- Reed touching something..e.g...the slot (misalignment) or fried chicken in 
the slot.
- Insufficient or excessive gap.  Compare the gap with gaps on neighboring 
reeds.

That is about all I can offer by email.  The diagnosis of your problems 
should not be difficult.

Vern



Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Spencer, John C." <SpencerJC@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 12:19 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Chromatic repair


Inspired by the conversations on the list, I bought a Hohner Super 64
Chromonica to mess around with.   I bought it from an individual, not
Hohner.  It was said to be "new" and it certainly doesn't show much
wear.  Anyway, I find that 2, 3, and 4 blow don't respond and 8 draw is
pretty dead too.  So, what's my next step?  I know how to take my
diatonics apart, clean and tune them, change reed plates and other minor
stuff but don't know where to begin with a chromatic.  I'd appreciate
any suggestions.

John



_______________________________________________
Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l