[Harp-L] Re: part 2. Subject: Re: solo vocal and 14 hole marine

[Larry Sandy <slyou65@xxxxxxxxx>]

Burke, I would not try removing enough material to change the pitch two semitones, although someone else may. ÂI don't believe the reeds would last even if they could be thinned to that extreme. ÂI would be interested in learning the limits one can take that modification to. Â ÂI hope to solder a C down to an A before Virginia Harmonicafest 12. ÂI also will lower a C down to a B for bluegrass jams. ÂA G should easily go down to an F and hopefully to an E. ÂIn other words, I fully expect one semitone and hopefully two or more semitone changes. Â If anyone has enlightenment on these hopes please advise. ÂAfter all, the harp you save may be mine....LOL. ÂI already have a few failed carcasses awaiting new reeds.Â

I have had good success flattening the pear wood on my big belt sander using a special jig to hold the comb flat to the fine belt. ÂOne easy way I seal the comb is to spray a few coats of good quality paint and assemble as soon as it is dry enough to handle but not too hard to conform to small imperfections. ÂIt requires several days to completely cure before use though. ÂI have had good results with the 3M micropore tape but it requires a lot of patience and time to trim each slot accurately. ÂI have used stain and clear lacquer spray to finish the comb with great results. ÂThe one I showed Howard Levy was finished this way. ÂSome folks believe spray paints are potentially harmful but all the research I've done convinces me that all common finishes are safe, once they outgas fully. ÂMy next finish will be Beeswax & Orange Oil, by Howard Products. ÂIt finishes my sassafras walking sticks beautifully. To each, his own. Â

I have embossed a few units and it does improve the playability, especially when playing at very low volume. Â If you play loudly embossing may not be beneficial, nor recommended. Â

Reeds respond quicker when adjusted low so most of my harps are adjusted low to choking then opened just enough to not choke. ÂI am no stranger to overblowing and overdrawing. ÂReeds that are opened a little more can play louder, if slightly slower responding. ÂFor jamming without mics I generally use non-embossed, more open reed settings. ÂWhen using a mic I prefer embossed reeds set as low as possible.

Tuning is another discussion and deservedly so. ÂThere is a lot of great information available on the web.... Pat Missin, Coast to Coast, Lee Oscar, Angelfire, etcÂ

These are my thoughts and preferences, other folks have theirs. ÂNo one set up or finish is perfect but the fun is in the learning, experimenting and the knowledge you have made the instrument your own. ÂAnd when you get the special harp that really suits you, well, that is a bonus no one can sell to you nor take from you. ÂEnjoy your harping adventures.

Lockjaw Larry
Breathing Music daily. ÂAnd sawdust occasionally.Â




________________________________
 From: "burket@xxxxxxx" <burket@xxxxxxx>
To: slyou65@xxxxxxxxx; gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 3:12 PM
Subject: part 2.    Subject: Re: [Harp-L] solo vocal and 14 hole marine  (cc to gnarly)
 

Hi Larry and Gnarly:

Funny thing for me too ! :)

In my excitement to see someone else who has a hankering for customizing these harmonicas, I didn't see your reply in the digest to Gnarly's post before I sent my last email. I would welcome any other insights either of you have for taming these leaky beasts. The 365 seems to be preferable because the shape of the cover plates is pretty darn comfortable.

I've been doing similar with finding them on eBay, usually almost like new, and very cheap..
Quality does vary though, and I have come across a couple of duds. Similar to playing a post Hicksville era Marine Band (the ones w/ Two Nail Holes on the draw plate between the outside reeds instead of 3). 
Compared to a current MB or Hicksville vintage. I guess there is no way to know aside for playing them.

Since you have had issues with solder to lower pitch, would you be so brave as to make a low A out of a C
just by removing reed material? Three half steps makes me worry about reed stability. I saw some good info Gnarly had posted on Slidemiester regarding soldering and went out and got some of the low lead kind from Radio Shack yesterday.

I've put a couple custom combs on 364's and they look sharp and help the seal. I'm wondering if its worth the time to emboss?

I'm fairly new to Harp-L and Slidmeister, but I really enjoy the community and wealth of information and talent on the lists.

Thanks for you time and consideration.

Burke T.
Open Door Productions

www.opendoorprod.com


Message: 9
Date: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:25:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Larry Sandy <slyou65@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] solo vocal and 14 hole marine band in C
To: "gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx" <gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <1330514711.5667.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 So far my experience with soldering reeds to lower pitch is less than stellar.  
Half-valving just doesn't satisfy me either. Circular tuning is on my list. I'm 
wondering if I would like and use fourkey and how the power chromatics work out? 
Flattening the comb and reed work is the most productive in sound 
improvements. Reshaping the whole silhouette and sealing is the easiest and 
eye-pleasing for me. Last May between his sets Howard Levy really admired my 
first self-customized 365 and marveled at how non-leaking it is. My goal is to 
have a collection of all keys in 364/365's. It gets better..... Kockjaw Larry
Making and Breathing music daily Virginia Harmonicafest 12 is approaching quickly..... ï;>) ________________________________ From: "gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx" <gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Larry Sandy <slyou65@xxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 7:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] solo vocal and 14 hole marine band in C Hey Larry,
The funny thing my latest hobby is Buying old 365s from eBay and refurbishing 
them!
I am retuning them to different tunings--I made a fourkey from one, also a 
couple of power chromatics with the tonic chord in the root position, one in C 
and one in  G. 
I made one in circular tuning and sold it to a student! 
Sent on the Sprintï Now Network from my BlackBerryï