Re: Re: [Harp-L] bent reed

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

One of my XB40s has a dirty great kink in it's draw 3 reed. Still plays fine. This didn't happen during maintenance, so I assume it's happened simply through playing. Anyone seen that kind of thing before?
RD

>>> "john" <jjthaden@xxxxxxxxx> 29/07/2008 11:33 >>>
It may help you to know that the reed will be stiffest and most resistant to further bending right at the crease, because the metal's crystal structure will have been changed there by the first bend.

>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: <casey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 1:49 PM
>Subject: [Harp-L] bent reed
>
>
>> while attempting to unstick a sticky reed I bent it (yes, I am new to
>> this) .. is there any way to fix that?
>
>You can try to bend it back to its original shape.  Look at the reeds on 
>either side to see the shape that you are aiming for. You probably snagged 
>the tip on something and pulled it up so restoring it will involve pushing 
>the tip down through the slot. IF you also pulled it to the side, chances of 
>success are slim. However, console yourself that there isn't anything to be 
>lost. The worst that you can do is start and end with a bad reed.
>
>There are two fundamental rules for making a reed play:
>
>1. It is called a "free" reed for a reason.  The reed must not touch the 
>sides of its slot or anything else as it vibrates.  Hold it up to a bright 
>background such as a light bulb and view it with one eye closed.  If it is 
>free, you will see the same amount of light on both sides.
>
>2. It must have the proper shape and gap.  Acceptable shape is parallel to 
>the plate at the rivet and sweeping up in a gentle arc to the tip which has 
>the proper height / gap above the reedplate.  Look at the gaps of the reed's 
>neighbors.  Its gap should be larger than its higher neighbor and smaller 
>than its lower neighbor.
>
>I assume that replacing the reed is a technical challenge for which you are 
>not yet ready.
>
>You can possibly purchase and install a new reedplate. That is just a matter 
>of screws or nails.
>
>Unless it is an expensive chromatic, has been customized, has historic 
>value, or you are otherwise fond of it...it will probably be less expensive 
>to get a new harp than to have it fixed.
>
>> (fortunately, on second try on a different harp I just swabbed on alcohol
>> and stayed away from the reed with the screwdriver and that harp is
>> playing fine)
>
>If alcohol works, you are lucky. Take care that cotton fibers do not remain 
>in the slot. If alcohol doesn't work, pass a thin (.001") strip of metal 
>from an anti-theft tag gently along the sides of the stuck reed to remove 
>obstructions.  A piece of fried chicken in the clearance along the side of 
>the reed violates the rule that the reed must be free.
>
>Vern
>Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com 
>
>
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Best regards.				 
john
jjthaden@xxxxxxxxx 
2008-07-28


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