Re: [Harp-L] Big River reedplate edges

[Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>]

I find that most all new harmonicas have many sharp edges on the reed plates and cover plates.

I disassemble the harmonica, and use super fine 0000 steel wool to go over the edges until they no longer feel sharp, and they always feel much better !

Ken H in OH

--- On Sat, 10/3/09, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Big River reedplate edges
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx, harptalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009, 7:59 AM
> At SPAH, Hohner was selling Big
> Rivers for $5 apiece, and I bought a low Eb.  The sound
> and response is surprisingly good, plenty good enough for
> real work, but the reed plates have sharp edges, and I cut
> one corner of my mouth up playing the thing.
> 
> We'll ignore for the moment the question of why any
> manufacturer in 2009 should make a product that, when used
> in the recommended manner, injures the user.  (I used
> to automatically sand down the square holes on Hohner model
> 260 and 270 mouthpieces, because they always had sharp edges
> and burrs that cut my lips.  But I've stopped thinking
> that's the kind of problem I should have to deal
> with.)  I seem to recall that other people on Harp-L or
> Harptalk have had this problem and figured out a way to deal
> with it.  I couldn't seem to find the right posts in
> the harp-L archives.  Anybody got any advice on how to
> turn the Big River into a safer instrument?
> 
> Thanks and regards, Richard Hunter
>  
> 
> author, "Jazz Harp"
> latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
> more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
> Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
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