Re: [Harp-L] Re: SS vs. brass reeds

["David Priestley ( for harp-L)" <dmharpman@xxxxxxxxx>]

 Hi
many years ago when I started playing harp, a Hohner Echo-vamper was 
almost the only 10 hole Richter tuned diatonic one could get, in the 
U.K.. At that time a harp would last me a day of breaking-in (or getting 
used to) and one gig on top form and one gig where they could be iffy.

Much water has passed under bridge since then and the last time I blew a 
harp out was 0ver 20 years ago. Simply put the better one's technique is 
the longer a harp will work just fine for you. Yet every element that is 
used to make a harp will go towards the playing / response shape and 
endurance of the instrument. No instrument can be all things to all 
players.

Were the perfect harmonica ever made and widely sold it would spell the 
end of the harmonica manufacturing industry with-in two generations.  So 
lets rejoice in the quirky Axes we got and raise a glass to those who 
strive to improve them.
"*Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,
Or what's a heaven for?"* R Browing ;-)
David

On 16/04/2011 16:16, Michael Easton wrote:
> I bought 2 1847's shortly after they came out.
> On average I was blowing out 1 reed every 5  gigs on the MB's or GM's 
> I played a lot. C, A and D.
>
> I figured out the cost of MB's at the time and the cost of an 1847.  
> Since the 1847's ran close to  4 times as much as a MB they should last
>  at least 20 gigs based on my playing technique.  To date I'm still 
> playing the same 2 C and A harps I bought back in 2007.  Between jams, 
> record dates and gigs I've used the same 2 harps as my main C and A 
> more then 90 times.  Over that time I only had to slightly retune a 
> few reeds.
>
> Even though I can build them I no longer play any customs. 1847's 
> right out of the box are great on their own. Being a busy harp tech I 
> don't have time to work on my own harps and enjoy the
> freedom playing Stainless Steel reeds provide.
>
> I have friends that tend to blow them out but they play the high ends 
> a lot and play overblows so there is more stress on the reeds then I 
> play as a regular blues player.
>
> I ordered a few Seydel SS Sessions for customers. The one guy is on 
> this list so he can give a review once he has a chance to give it a 
> test drive.
>
> Mike
>
>
> On Apr 16, 2011, at 9:03 AM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:20:21 -0700
> From: Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Stainless steel vs. brass/other reeds
> To: "<bluesbent@xxxxxxxx>" <bluesbent@xxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <04A18F90-B812-4F71-863F-4D1579C4BF38@xxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> A test to confirm or deny the superiority of SS reeds would involve 
> playing a large number of harps until the reeds failed on a blowing 
> machine.  If the manufacturer's have done that, they have not reported 
> it.  Statistically it won't mean much, but none of the reeds on my 
> hard-working Saxony have failed.
>
> The properties of SS are better than those of copper alloys in that 
> steel has a fatigue limit and copper alloys do not. (Fatigue limit is 
> the stress below which there is negligible fatigue)
>
> There are no certainties,  but I think that SS is a good bet.  I think 
> that the average SS reed will live longer than the average 
> copper-alloy reed.  That said, the  probabilities may overlap so that 
> the best bronze can reed can outlast the worst SS one.
>
> Vern

--
D Priestley AKA Dr Midnight.
England's first  harmonica Guru.

Do feel free get in touch.
Harmonica lessons POA,(10 = 20% discount,&  20 = 25% discount).

I teach from: 51 Barkston Gdns, the basement flat&  On-Line,
Email me or call me to book lessons or get more info.

E-mail= dmharpman@xxxxxxxxx
Website= http://www.cognitionarts.com/
Phone=(44) 0207 373 0295