Re: [Harp-L] Reed Gap-A-matic

[Mojo Red <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Turbodog,

I'm glad to have fallen into your intuitive trap, and provided the response you were looking for. 

Yes, the "sweet spot" gap is difficult to find, and, of course, it is different for every key harp. 

I should, however, amend my post regarding the reed in hole #7. The needed (and pesky) sweet-spot gap would be needed on the 7 draw (not 7 blow) to achieve an easy to hit overdraw rather than the overblow I originally wrote. I was so excited by your proposal that I typed before thinking. :-)

Question: Does your design require removing the cover plates to re-gap the reed, or can the adjustment made on the outside of the harp, say at the rear of the comb? 

Harpin' in Colorado,
--Ken


________________________________
 From: "Jim, "Turbodog" Antaki, (PhD)" <turbodog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: 'Mojo Red' <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 8:49 PM
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Reed Gap-A-matic
 

Thanks Ken,
 
Your answer is actually the one I was looking for.  Or at least 
corroborates my intuition.  For the past X years, I've been exprimenting 
with all kinds of reed and reedplate modifications to permit overblows while 
avoiding that irritating choking effect.  I'm still optimistic that there 
is room for improvement. However, the two settings are  physically at odds. 
You kindof need the blow reed to choke in order to initiate the overblow, but 
you want it to not choke when you want it to not choke.  Consequently - it 
is highly tied to the player's embouchure. What works for one player will 
frustrate another player. Hence... continuous gap adjustability would allow you 
to experiment through trial and error to find that sweet 
spot.
 
Much obliged
 
Turbodog


________________________________
 From: Mojo Red [mailto:harplicks@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 4:53 PM
To: turbodog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Reed 
Gap-A-matic


Turbodog,

I'm surprised no one has responded to your intriguing post. You 
always come up with the ~coolest~ ideas!

I fiddle with gaps on all my harps, as I'm sure many players do. 
Being able to precisely adjust gaps on the fly might be a viable tool 
indeed. 

If I had to choose only one to have that option, I'd likely suggest 
that the adjustable gap be placed on the 5 blow reed.
When it's low enough to overblow, it tends to be too low to hit hard; 
and vice versa. 
Another good choice would be the 7 blow (for the same reason), but I 
use the 7 OB far less frequently than the 5 OB.

Best of luck with this idea! 
Your "mad genius" approach to harmonica 
modification is always enlightening.


Harpin' in Colorado,
--Ken M.


________________________________
 From: "Jim, "Turbodog" Antaki, 
(PhD)" <turbodog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 9:13 
PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Reed 
Gap-A-matic

Friends,

Do you ever fiddle around with 
your reed gap?  (Don't be ashamed to admit
It. We all do it.)

Did 
you ever wish there was an easier way than physically deforming the reed
back 
and forth, and plinking until it is just where you want it? I have. 

Which is why I developed the Gap A Matic (patent pending.) It allows you 
to
adjust each of the reed gaps (aka offset) --very precisely -- by twisting 
a
small screw. Ala bridge adjustment on a guitar or fiddle. The only 
problem,
like all my crazy inventions, it is painstaking to manufacture in 
small
quantities. And there just isn't great enough demand to justify 
mass
production. So its been sitting on the shelf for years.

But it 
just occurred to me... not all 20 reeds need the same fastidious
attention as 
"certain reeds" ... if you know what I mean.  in particular
there are a 
few blow reeds that if gapped too low will tend to choke too
readily. Yet too 
large a gap will make them seem leaky, breathy, or
unresponsive.  This 
is also a function of the key of harp, the size and
shape of your embouchure, 
the loudness of your playing, and the type of
music (e.g. single notes, 
chords, overbends etc.)

So my question to you all: If you were granted 
just one wish for one
particular reed that you could adjust at will... even 
during a gig, what
reed would that be?

Thanks in advance for your 
assistance.

Turbodog
ps - stay tuned for similar message titled, 
"TuneAmatic" or "MagnAtune" (I
haven't decided yet what to call 
it.)