Re: [Harp-L] Suzuki weld on reeds

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 9, 2008, at 3:46 PM, cscharp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I was at a rather loud jam session in New Orleans last night, and  
> even though I know better, I busted a 4 draw on a Suzuki  
> Bluesmaster C, with weld on reeds..
>
> I was successful in removing the reed, leaving a perfect hole,  
> which I enlarged with a drill and tapped with a 0-80 tap.  I  
> normally use a number 80 stainless steel flathead screw  from the  
> reed side, because the taper of the screw holds the reed perfectly,  
> unless either the hole in the plate or the reed is slightly off- 
> center.  If this is the case, I insert the screw from the back, and  
> use a nut to hold the reed on.

That's the way 'I' do it so it doesn't interfere with the wind savers  
(on chromos). Not necessary on a diat.

>   This, in the past has always worked on all my other harps. NOT  
> THIS TIME, Not on the Suzuki.  The hole in the reed plate does not  
> appear to be centered with the slot, and it is off a bunch.  It  
> appears to my eyes, which are rather old, that all the welds are  
> off center.

Yes.
> Has anyone had this problem?

Uh-huh

> Has anyone been successful in transplanting a reed in one?

Yes

> I suppose I am either going to have to use a wider reed, and start  
> shaving the edges,

That's one way to do it. Another is to 'walk' the reed over. You  
already have a hole. So strike the reed plate with a center punch on  
the TIGHT side of the hole. In other words the side of the hole which  
is so far over that it allows the reed to hit the plate. The punch  
should 'walk the hole' over enough to center it. Then it's a matter  
of re-doing or re-threading the hole once it's centered. Btw, the  
same can be done with the reed BUT they are fragile and brittle and  
you can easily split the brass at the 'eye'. Me? I would work the  
plate first.

smo-joe

> or just scrap the harp, since I cannot even use it for spare parts.
>
> Harvey
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