Re: [Harp-L] Manji welded reeds?

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Peloquin" <peloquinharp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Harp -l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:55 AM
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Manji welded reeds?

> From: tusker23@xxxxxxxxxxx
> I'm a relative newbie to harp-playing and I know it's 
> probably a dumb question, but.......if welded reeds are 
> such a tremendous improvement over rivetted reeds, 
> wouldn't replacing a welded reed with a screw-fastened 
> reed result in a poorer quality harmonica?

Good question.

> If not, then why not use all screw-fastened or bolted 
> reeds in the first place, rather than welded reeds?

Spot-welding is much more amenable to an automated assembly 
process than rivets or screws.  (See those videos on 
assembly of automobile bodies.)  One suspects that this is 
the most important reason for choosing spot-welding.  Better 
alignment and closer tolerances are real but marginal 
advantages to the user. Field-replacement difficulties are 
challenging but not unsurmountable.  Replacement of rivetted 
reeds is also a challenge to the average harper.

> And if indeed the performance of a welded reed is so vital 
> to the musician at the outset, why would he/she then 
> settle for a lesser harmonica with a repaired reed which 
> doesn't meet original manufacturer's specifications? I'm 
> thinking that if welded reeds were so vitally important to 
> the professional player in the first place, he/she would 
> simply dispose of the damaged harp and buy a new one, 
> rather than play an "inferior" instrument.
>
> .....Or am I missing something?    Jim,

Quite the contrary.

> As they say in talk radio; "you stole my thunder."

> And, with those close tolerances, how could a lowly human 
> easily align this replacement reed in the slot? What about 
> all of the distortion and stress put on the reed and the 
> plate when the holes are drilled and threads are cut?

Valid questions.  Because you drill the hole in the reed 
bigger than the screw, you can always loosen the screw and 
change the angle and offset of the reed with respect to the 
slot.  Although this can involve quite a bit of fiddling 
around, it is theoretically possible to get a perfect 
alignment.  I have found that it helps to put a lubricated 
washer under the screw head to reduce the tendency of the 
reed to move as the screw is tightened.  You still need a 
drill press.

Because welding is fairly new, harp techs haven't had much 
opportunity to work out solutions to the problems that you 
have correctly identified.  However, we're working on it. 
Stay tuned.

Vern