Subject: [Harp-L] windsaver problem

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hi Ron:
 
Windsavers that are arcing up on a 2-3 year old chromatic are relatively  
simple to curve back down by VERY gently smoothing (stroking) them over a  
rounded surface such as an orange stick - which is how I do it...then  
'pinching' them slightly longitudinally ....(Smokey/Michelle have talked about  
this fairly recently here)...in order to help prevent  them re-curling.
 
 The valves are two-part...the top transparent layer is a very  thin 
plastic material designed to act as a 'spring'.  For all sorts of  reasons I won't 
go into here - (it's been covered ad infinitum) ...have  your friend do 
some research/look in the archives, some valves stop covering the  reed 
opening. If your friend lives in Florida the humidity could play a big  part.... a 
'wet' player tends to have more problems than a dry player, and  so on...
 
I don't quite fathom the need to replace windsavers on such a new  
chromatic, but it certainly behooves your friend to learn about his instrument  (as 
it does any musician).
 
 No one should be afraid to open it up...take off the covers and  figure 
out how it all works. Now if it was a Renny I might hesitate a wee  bit...but 
a chromonica is easy...
 
If they truly are bent beyond salvageability...If Bill Romel's thermophore  
valves are still available to purchase - I'd suggest your friend get a 
packet or  two of them. I got mine while Bill was still alive and they came with 
easy to  follow instructions.
 
BTW...while the covers are off (and there's no reason to remove the  
mouthpiece for this kind of fix)...take the time to carefully clean whatever  
needs cleaning. Just remind him to work carefully around the reeds/other  valves.
 
Good luck,
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 10
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:27:29 -0500
From:  captron100@xxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] windsaver problem
To:  Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx

Hi, I'm asking for someone i know, since i have no  experience with 
windsavers.  An acquaintance of mine has a 2 or 3 year old  12 hole Hohner 
chromatic that has a couple of windsavers that are arched up and  therefore not 
functioning.  Fwiw, he said that the windsavers appear to be  on a plastic type 
of material.  Can someone please tell me what to tell  this guy about how to 
fix his problem.  TIA.
ron - FL  Keys"