Re: [Harp-L] Re: GM harps

[joe leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 8, 2010, at 6:33 AM, HTownFess wrote:

> Good point, smo-joe, didn't explain myself clearly:

No, you did, and I agree with you. I was merely stating my own  
experience(s), but you are correct.

> one reason the ca.1998 yellow brass reeds were superior was that  
> Hohner started the
> milling near the reed base with smooth curves instead of right angles
> on that generation of reeds.  Better milling there seems like the
> prime route to longevity improvement (http://www.harp-l.org/pipermail/
> harp-l/2006-August/msg00102.html is one place I'm on record about
> that).

Yes, I remember you saying so. And we have talked about this on  
slidemeister over the years. Since reed failures are more critical on  
chromos. Tossing a $63.oo chromo is more a burden than a $12.oo  
diatonic. AND, I have only about an 87.5% ratio of fix it rate on  
chromos. I have a better ratio on diatonics. Time is another factor.  
Yesterday I was able to change out a reed in about 45 minutes. And  
that was with all the adjusting, clipping to size, and centering.  
Since the rivets are too small for me to handle with my hands (which  
are going bad), I use lady's spike heel tap nails. They are the same  
dia but long enough to hold.
> Beyond that, not using diagonal slashes for tuning would cure a small
> remaining % of reed failures (think I've seen two failures there in
> > 100 reed repairs on my own & others' diatonics).

I have always felt that the diagonal slashes throw the reed out of  
kilter. They may have an effect on the reed vibrating 'evenly'. In  
other words, when pressed hard, the reeds (may) vibrate on a twist. I  
see this (possible) twist as a problem thaat (may) set up unusual  
harmonics in the metal.

> > The diagonal slashes also lead to other problems, like the burrs  
> > you mention or the
> phenomenon of high reeds that go way up in pitch when you play them
> harder.  I think they can make the reed flex in less of a straight
> plane than it should.

Oh, ok, I hadn't read this far. My mind was racing. Yes, you're right.
> I didn't say Hohner doesn't make a fine product--they do.

I know that. I have never seen anything in your posts capping on any  
particular manufacturer. All you have ever done was search for the  
truth. This is what makes the harmonica scene so vibrant right now.  
The dissemination and sharing of information..AS gleaned by actual  
working gigging 'Road Dogs'. This can only be a good thing. Actually,  
all the makers are doing a good job right now. Considering the  
overall product line up. If they weren't, there wouldn't be ANY sales.

>   Their quality control has improved, but their design decisions  
> are sending
> me elsewhere.  Ca. 1998, it looked like Hohner was intent on slamming
> shut the door they'd left open for their competitors during the bad
> years.  Said door is still ajar--

I understand, and agree somewhat. I have always thought that they had  
too many models, had voiced this at various times, and have it on  
good authority that the reason for this is that dropping a model  
causes consternation among the players who like those particular  
models. It all comes down to Hohner trying to provide something for  
every body. I have no argument with that, but I have always felt that  
trimming models and then making THOSE remaining models
very very nice (by virtue of having all that 'saved' time to DO so,  
might help them out and bring them back into the sans pariel standing  
they had/have.

In conclusion, there was a time when you could have held a gun to my  
head and demanded that I NOT play Hohners and I would have said "When  
you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk. Show me what ya got". But  
nowadays, we have all these wonderful choices. And since I'm not  
married to Hohner, I reserve the right to try other makes/models.

I only wish  lolol  that I had the time and moolah to try everything.

I feel we are of the same mind.... Jo-Zeppi
> On Mar 7, 9:51 pm, joe leone <3n...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > I have never ever had a reed break at a tuning mark. If anything,
> > there have been 'smears' where the tuning mark was run over onto the
> > plate leaving a tiny burr that subsequently chirped or sent out an
> > extremely faint high pitched ping.
> >
> > Any reeds that I have had break, broke at the junction where the
> > rivet pad is milled down to the reeds final thickness. It is not a
> > good idea to come down on the reed with a sharp edged mill that
> > leaves a sharp inside corner or step. Any engineer will tell you that
> > ALL edges should be 'broken'. It matters nary a wit as to what the
> > item is.
> >
> > Ftr: breaking edges is machinists parlance for rounding all radii. I
> > just replaced a reed in a spl-20 Bb this afternoon. It had failed at
> > the aforementioned juncture. I don't often HAVE reeds fail as Hohner
> > products are such fine items, but I put a lot of stress on the 5 blow
> > reed and I use a wind saver on the 5 draw, and this shifts a lot of
> > strain onto the 5 blow when I blow it down a half step.
> >
> > Ok, when a player is going to play a harmonica in a way that it
> > wasn't meant to be played, they should expect occasional failures.
> >
> > smo-joe , agent 00L  (from Haiti with love)