Re: [Harp-L] Chrom fragility-sturdiness

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

I doubt that a loose reed is shipping damage.  Any acceleration great enough to make a properly riveted reed pull loose would undoubtedly leave visible damage to the package and/or the harp.  Besides that, most of the reed weight is on its own spring mount, making it able to resist shocks without damage.

The slide protrusion at the button is the part of the chromatic most vulnerable to damage. That is why you should not drop your chromatic....or throw it against the wall!  If the slide works OK and the covers look OK,  the reeds are unlikely to be damaged.   Reeds stand up to tuning and gapping which are far more traumatic than shipping.

A loose reed  is more likely to be a manufacturing defect. The hole in the plate was too big, the rivet was not properly set, or the rivet was set wrong, removed, and replaced in a damaged hole.   
I wouldn't argue shipping damage for which the carrier could be partly responsible. Harmonicastore is probably correct that it isn't shipping damage.  However, that makes it more likely that it is manufacturing defects, for which they are totally responsible.  In either case, they should replace your harp.

Breaking-in works with muscles and bones but not with metal reeds.  Without a blood supply, your metal reeds are not going to get any stronger with gentle playing.  It is possible that a period of gentle playing might establish gentle playing habits.  

Warming is not for the sake of the reeds.  Starting with a warm harp suppresses condensation of water vapor in your breath and lessens the tendency of the valves to stick and pop in the first few minutes of your playing session. 

The reeds are actually tough little metal springs and it isn't easy to damage them.  That said,  you should pamper your chromatic for the sake of the much more delicate valves and slide. 

Vern

On Apr 19, 2010, at 12:26 PM, Timothy J. Schutte wrote:

> Hi Chug,
> 
> On 04/19/2010 02:47 PM, simple chug wrote:
>> Bought a chrom from Harmonicastore.  It came with a loose reed or
>> two.  It had been packed really poorly (on the bottom of the box with
>> no cushioning so ever time it hit the weight of the packing on top
>> slammed it).  Complained...got a phone call from the boss, He sears
>> it could not be the packing because over thirty five years he has
>> thrown harmonicas agains the wall etc with not damage.  This does not
>> jibe with the careful breaking-in and warming routines i have been
>> instructed to use to protect the delicate reeds.  So?  do i have to
>> pamper my chrom or was harmonicastore telling the truth?
> 
> Get your money back or make them send you a new harp.
> 
> Harmonicas are pretty tough as far as musical instruments go, but don't throw it against a wall. Your harp was improperly packed for shipping.
> 
> Good luck!
> Tim
> 
> -- 
> Timothy J. Schutte
> kc8hr@xxxxxxxxxxxxx | http://senseitim.blogspot.com/ | Twitter:SenseiTim
> "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam!" --Popeye the Sailor-Man