Re: [Harp-L] 2 draw squeak

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

Because I'm not a diatonic player, I waited for someone who is...and Steve is, IMO, one of the best...to respond.

Now, I can say that what Steve says makes perfect sense.  The squeal is the reed vibrating in a different mode, most likely twisting.  If anything, the reed is too "live" and definitely not dying. As he says, it could be excited by an off-center position in the slot.  After you check the alignment, the traditional remedy is to slightly deaden the reed by application of gunk.  This could be wax, fingernail polish, vaseline, etc.  The trick is to deaden the reed just enough to suppress the unwanted mode of vibration but not enough to suppress the standard mode. 

I seem to recall that this used to be a recurring problem with Lee Oscar harps. 

I would guess that it isn't affected much by the tightness of the cover screws.  

Vern
 
On Feb 3, 2010, at 2:10 AM, Steve Baker wrote:

> Brian wrote:
> 
> One of my Special 20's in D major emits a high frequency tone when I hit the
> 2 hole draw bend, in addition to the normal draw bend note.  It doesn't seem
> to do it with the covers off!  Any ideas on what this might be as I've never
> encountered it before in several years of playing?  I've changed the covers
> and tightened the screws to max in case it was a harmonic squeal from a
> warped or loose cover but no improvement.
> Suggestions and possible cures?
> 
> Pic wrote:
> 
> Mine, in Bb is now doing that and soon it will get lodged in my throat me
> thinks.
> 
> Steve replies:
> 
> The reason for the squeak is usually a  slight misalignment of the reed in the exceptionally tight air gap between reed and slot on the current Hohner Classic reed plates. It's definitely not a sign of fatigue. Since introducing the new reed profiles there have been no examples of such reeds breaking off and lodging in people's throats. Tightening the screws to the max is not a good idea as it may warp the reed plates and is more likely to exacerbate the problem. If this doesn't occur without the covers on I would suggest loosening the cover screws rather than tightening them. The reed plates screws should never be too tight for the same reason. Sometimes the squeak can be fixed by centering the reed in the slot (try looking at the it against the light with the reed tip pushed into the slot). If it appears to be centered correctly you may want to try stabilising the rivet pad with a tiny dab of wax or petroleum jelly, this usually helps.
> 
> Steve Baker
> www.stevebaker.de
> www.bluesculture.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
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