[Harp-L] any advice on gapping for bend control?

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Shaun,

I've been playing Suzukis more or less exclusively for almost 3  
years.  i do not modify my harps or tune them, nor would I even know  
how to attempt doing so.  But I do adjust gaps when  necessary and  
occasionally I've needed to OPEN the gaps of particular reeds on a  
new Suzuki.  I'm certainly no expert, but from what you describe, I'm  
thinking that you may want to open the gap on the draw 3 reed.  Since  
bending involves the blow reed as well, you may also need to open the  
gap on the blow 3 reed, but probably not as much.

Besides Joe Spiers' YouTube videos on gapping, Adam Gussow also has  
one. Take a look at those. Gapping isn't difficult and it's worth  
learning how to do.  i have minimal mechanical aptitude and even less  
interest in tinkering, but even i learned to gap my harps without  
much difficulty just by watching Gussow's video (Joe's hadn't been  
posted yet). I use a feeler gauge i bought from Dave Payne at Elk  
River Harmonicas, but other implements (or even a piece of paper)  
will do just as well.

Hope this is of some help.

JP