[Harp-L] Re: Harmonica Tuning Sequence

[BluzeHarp@xxxxxxx]

Denny, it sounds like you are trying to learn to do too much all at  once.  
 
Here's a few pointers I've gleaned from attending seminars  conducted by 
various masters of this craft:  It is important  to learn these procedures one 
at a time... attain repeatable results  with one process before moving to 
the next.  If you try  to tune, gap, emboss and arc all at the same time you 
won't know how one  step is affecting the other, or even if you have any of 
them right... it  will wind up being a train wreck.  Adjust the gaps before 
embossing,  you don't want to try to emboss around a  misaligned reed.  To 
practice embossing find a reed that  sounds a clear note but requires a lot 
more air than you want it to,  it need not be in tune.  Emboss much more 
gently than you think is  needed and then test, keep repeating until you have a 
good  result.  Keep in mind that other factors can affect reed response,  
embossing will for example not correct a leak caused by a warped plate or  
comb, you might want to check for any such issues before you begin  working on 
the reeds... don't over tighten the plates!  As Winslow  mentioned, tuning 
should come last, if done properly it should  not affect the other steps.  
I'd conquer the  above before moving on to things like arcing or reed  
replacement.  
 
Your 1847 has stainless reeds, the Delta Frost reeds are phosphor  bronze, 
each will require different levels of force and time, and possibly  
different tools, in order to accomplish the same results as  on brass.  
 
Another good tuning kit and instruction book are offered by  Richard Sleigh.
 
Get to a SPAH convention, you won't believe how much you can learn about  
this topic by attending!
 
Christopher Richards
Harmonica Planet.com
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/16/2013 11:04:37 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,  
harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx writes:

--------  Original message --------
From: Denny Noreikas  <harpmessin@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Date:12/15/2013  3:20 PM   (GMT-05:00) 
To: Harp- L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>,harptalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  
Subject: [Harp-L] Harmonica Tuning Sequence 

I am going to attempt  customizing & tuning my own harmonicas (Seydel 1847, 
Hohner Special 20,  & Bushman Delta Frost) for playing mostly Blues. I have 
the Lee Oskar tool  kit, the Rupert Oysler DVD's, the Harmonica Einstein's 
Tuning Table and the  Seydel Setup Pack. I am ready to start practicing on 
an old Hohner. Is there a  particular order to follow for tuning, setting the 
offset & curvature and  finally embossing? In other words, should I set the 
offset and curvature first  and then tune and finally emboss? Any help or 
advise would be  appreciated.