Re: [Harp-L] valve problems! need help!

Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:34:22 -0700

Vern replies:

On Jan 3, 2010, at 11:40 AM, Michelle LeFree wrote:

Of course, my experience valving with Ultrasuede is limited to half-valving diatonics, but I don't feel there would be any particular or unique issue that would make it any different with chromatics..........

Well, I am certainly glad I added ~that~ caveat!
As I understand it, half-valving diatonics places valves on the top of the upper reedplate over the blow reed slots.   There, gravity holds the valves against the plate and the floppiness of the ultrasuede does little harm.

Yup!
In a chromatic, there are blow reeds on the bottom reedplate where the valves must hang on the underside where gravity pulls them away from the plate.  This makes stiffening by compression desirable.

Aha! Shoulda thought of that ~before~ I opened my big mouth... :-)
Waterproofing may be an unnecessary refinement in a diatonic.  However, the weight of water in a valve on the underside of the lower reedplate requires even more stiffness.  I can't think of any reason why a dry valve would not be more responsive than a waterlogged one.
I have found that waxing the reedplate reduces sticking and popping of factory valves.  I hate sticking and popping so much that I go for a "belt and suspenders" remedy. Either ultrasuede or wax may be sufficient, but I think that the combination givers a wider margin of safety.
I argue that the compressing, waxing, and waterproofing refinements that I propose have the potential of reducing sticking and popping without any possibility of harm.
If and when I start selling valves, I think that they should be suitable for diatonics and chromatics.
IMO, improving valves has the most potential for improving chromatics.  I welcome the discussion and sharing of experience even when it may contradict my own.
We should be grateful to Brendan and PT for introducing us to Ultrasuede.
Vern

And I am grateful to you for pointing out the real-world impact of my 
lack of experience using Ultrasuede to valve chromatics.
You should write a book as well, Vern, "Harmonicas For The Mechanical 
Engineering Genius!" Between Winslow, Smokey Joe Leone and you, we'd 
have ~all~ the bases covered!
Michelle