Re: [Harp-L] Re: New wind saver valve leather

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

> > If you check the archives you'll find that it was Pat Missin who  
> > first developed the ultrasuede (or as he calls them, microfibre)  
> > valves that have been mentioned.
>
> Do you know the year?

I didn't find PT's first post in the archives, but the convention was  
before that, so that could help date when that was.  I simply don't  
remember either which convention it was or which year.  The last one I  
attended, IIRC.

As for when I first heard about these from Pat it would have been when  
he was working on my 280.  That was probably sometime around 2000.  I  
might be able to get a more exact time, but my emails from then are  
currently inaccessible.  I don't know when Pat first started using  
this stuff.

> > put on others for a test).  However, I have noticed that the valves  
> > droop some over time depending on how you store the harmonica.
>
> Some guys lay them on a side. That's bad for the 'other'  
> side.<snip>The better way is to set them on an END. And with a  
> chromo, it would be the non spring end. This way, the valves are  
> sideways and won't droop.

Hmmm...the only problem with this is that it doesn't allow for just  
laying it on a table, and for me if the harmonica isn't in plain sight  
and easily reached, it doesn't get played.  But, this might be a good  
excuse to build a small chromatic cabinet thing.
>

> BEST solution is to use a spring backer. The very fine 'E' wire from  
> a guitar is still too strong. But you can beat it on an anvil or  
> vise (or chunk of railroad track  lol), and with practice, flatten  
> it and get it to where it equates the little bear's porridge....just  
> right.

I've been meaning to try a spring backing for some time.  I have  
access to significantly thinner springs than guitar strings, just  
haven't gotten around to it yet.  I find only the lowest few valves of  
a 280 need anything like this, and even then it's not major, this the  
delay.  All the others work fine.



JR Ross
> >