[Harp-L] reed materials and shapes

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

steve warner writes:

"While you're at it let's think outside the box and see what happens  
with a
non tranditional rectangular reed shape."


There was a discussion on this a few months back.  If you search the  
archives on "tapered reed" you will find a post I did with a link to  
several patents (found on Pat Missin's website) for non-rectangular  
shaped reeds.  Tapered reeds are actually quite common already, less  
in harmonicas than in accordions.

I'd be interested in hearing the differences in very different  
shapes, but I suspect it would be minimal.  As I said then, I think  
for most of these things we're talking about small variations on a  
theme, rather than radical alterations.

As for reed material, I really think that a lot could be done with  
new plastics working out some of the idea Finn Magnus had in the  
1940's and 1950's.  Considering the improvements and increase in  
available plastics since then, I think this is an area which is  
practically begging to be explored.  I believe that the biggest  
reason it hasn't been is the expense of injection molding machines  
and a reluctance on most harmonica companies to market such a design,  
which I'm betting places like harp-l would not react favorably to.   
Plastic=cheap, being the most commonly held view.  I doubt these  
would give any significant tonal changes, but might be worth  
investigating for longevity and other issues.



 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()
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