Re: [Harp-L] RE: Repair problem Mystery? Tesla Effect

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Oh, I stand corrected on this one for sure. ÂI fool with wood-combs 90 percent of the time, mostly to maintain my eccentricity status. It's been a long time since I've cracked open a special 20 and looked at the comb. I took apart a special 20 and looked at it a little more closely.
The Special 20 has built in wormholes of time and space. Beneath holes 5,6 and 7, there is a little chamber and between 5 and 6 there's a screw that's probably off somehow. In the scenario Joe mentioned, the air leaks through there and then runs in this channel to the 1 hole, which by the way has a little indentation for the rivet on the draw side. If that rivet is off to the side or sitting a little too low, it will create a small leak there.Â
So the screw around hole 6 is one end of the wormhole and the bottom of hole 1 is the other. Wormholes aren't possible on wood combs - except ones made by actual worms (like what's on my main G with a chesnut comb), lol.Â
So do what Joe says (always good advice). Focus especially on the bottom screws between 5 and 6 and the one to the bottom side of the 1 hole. I'd say on the 1 hole side, that's from the reedplates being caterwhomped. To uncaterwhomp, when you put the reedplates back on, make sure they line up snugly. Then put the screws in starting from the center and working your way out. Tighten them to just snug. Then untighten all the screws about a half turn and retighten in the same pattern to snug... it's just like tightening head bolts on an automobile engine, same basic process.. only difference is if you do it wrong, you don't have antifreeze coming out the exhaust pipe.Â

David
www.elkriverharmonicas.com Â


________________________________
 From: Joe Spiers <joemopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Cathal Johnson Harmonicas <cathaljohnson@xxxxxxxxx> 
Cc: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 9:16 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] RE: Repair problem Mystery? Tesla Effect
 
Have you tried filing flat the areas immediately around the threaded holes in the draw plate? The self tapping screws usually pull a little brass out of the holes, especially when over tightened. May be preventing the plate from properly contacting the comb, providing a path for air to migrate to that reed. Are you using stock combs, or have you installed custom combs? If using a custom comb with no clearance provisions for the draw plate rivets, you'll need to file the draw plates flat or dremel reliefs in the comb to allow the plate to make proper contact with the comb. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 13, 2012, at 7:30 AM, Cathal Johnson Harmonicas <cathaljohnson@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Thanks for your replies!! Its great and funny to read them all! What a
> great resource!!
> I have noticed that even when I block off the blow 5, 6 or 7 reeds with my
> finger and the cover on the bottom that the 1 draw reed or B reed still
> sounds off. So I imagine that it is not in sympathy it sounds but perhaps
> an air leak or some other phenomenon, some time warp worm hole continuum!!
> :)
> But I will try opening the gap and curving the reed and sealing the screws
> with wax in a last ditched attempt! I may also try making vent in the comb
> as it doesnât happen with the comb off. I tried crimping the comb which
> helped a little so maybe an extra vent might helpâ
> Thanks for all the feedback!
> 
> 
> -- 
> Cathal Johnson
>