Re: [Harp-L] ...Why do reeds go out?

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

If a reed won't tune up, it's usually about to break.

I do what I call the "100-plink test" if a reed seems suspect.

Plinking is just raising the tip of a reed a few millimeters off the reedplate, then letting it go. The resulting sound often sounds like "plink," hence the name.

I plink a reed 100 times in quick succession with a thin blade or stylus. When you get handy at this it takes less than a minute. I count to eight 12 times, then add a few more to get to 100.

If the reed survives this test, you can probably tune it up and play it for awhile. But often a reed that seems immune to tuning will start to sound dull, then will fail to spring out of its slot, and finally will break off.

Winslow

 
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________________________________
 From: Chuck Linville <linvillec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 12:36 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] ...Why do reeds go out?
 
Hey y'all, happy weekend. I've been getting my feet wet with harp repair and re-tuning. Been playing for a few short years, I'm a machinist by experience, and I've always been interested in opening these things up, but never made the time. Well, now I have the time (unemployment can do that) and I am just fascinated with these things! Anyway, this tuning business has really got me wondering; what exactly makes them go out of tune? I've got a box of old harps from a friend and I am going through them, mostly Special 20s. I've been able to correct some by cleaning them. Others look indistinguishable from a good reed and I can't do anything a thing to cheer them up. All the gaps look fine and the rivet is solid. The only other thing I can imagine is metal fatigue from having been vibrated a gazillion times. Am I right? Thanks in advance! -chuck  (PS: If so, has anybody had success re-tempering?)