[Harp-L] RE: Low D Hohner harp triage

[Steve Shaw <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Trip
I do all that tweaking as well, but I haven't even had the covers off the Session Steel yet (it played really well out of the box until the reed flatted out on me).  You do get to the point where you know the reed won't make it even if you tune it back up. Ben has offered to help me out so I feel a little happier about it today. I must say, I enjoy playing the harp, which is gutsy and pretty loud for a low D. Maybe I was just unlucky!
Steve


Hi Steve,
I too am a fan of Hohner Low D harps. In addition to playing gigs, concerts and recording sessions I too play a fair amount of what you refer to as "pub sessions" where rather than playing Irish tunes, I'm playing the American bastardization of those fine old tunes in the form of old time and bluegrass.  And yes, if you are playing bluegrass music in a bluegrass band you are playing bluegrass harmonica - but that's a different thread. 

When my Low D Special 20s or Marine Bands go our of tune I first tune them using files, etc and when that no longer works because of all out reed failure I simply replace the reed with stock from old harps or replacement stock that you can get from the Hohner web site. As far as installing these replacement reeds you have a few options but the one that I'd recommend is the system that Richard Sleigh has developed and offers for sale - Richard is a genius with his trailblazing work on harps. Once up and running your precious Sp 20s become lifetime instruments. 

-- 
Trip Hendersonhttps://soundcloud.com/trip-hendersonhttps://www.youtube.com/TheWhistlingWolves