RE: [Harp-L] Tolerances on Harmonicas and the Manufacturing process.

["Anthony Smith" <anthony@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Harvey, I AGREE 100% with what you've said!!


-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Harvey Berman
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 11:26 AM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Tolerances on Harmonicas and the Manufacturing process.

It seems that all the conversations about Harmonica out of the box quality
and consistency have to do with tolerances. 

 Tolerances mean that when you specify a product, or you manufacture a
product you specify the allowable deviation from the standard you wish to
achieve.  This is a plus or minus situation, and the tighter the tolerances,
the more expensive the product.  When two or more components interact with
each other, as in the Harmonica reed plate and harmonica reed tolerances are
very important.  For example, If the reed tolerance is on the plus side, and
the slot tolerance is on the minus side, then you have a real tight fit, and
a great harmonica.  If it is the other way around, and the tolerances stack
up wrong, then you have an airy, less than perfect product.  

I figure that this is why harmonicas are not all the same out of the box. 
The average tolerances, I am guessing 80 percent,  are the ones that you get
out of the box which work as designed.  The tight tolerance matchup, let
say 10 percent are the ones that play great out of the box, and which we
would probably pay more for if we could consistantly get them.  The loose
matchup, the other 10% are the ones that everyone is bitching about. 

What is the answer?  Maybe there could be 3 prices of lets say a Marine
Band.  Lets say $30 for the Normal Marine Band, and $40 for the tight one,
and only $20 for the loose one (which is still with the original specs)  Of
couse, to separate these, probably adds another manufacturing step, and in
turn raises the costs.

Before anyone slams me for now knowing what I am talking about,  I will
admit that I know nothing about the Harmonica Manufacturing Process, but I
spent many years in other manufacturing environments.  All the numbers I
quoted are made up, and all of this is IMHO. Tolerance theory is real.

Harvey Berman
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