All depends on how much time, skill, or money one has at their disposal. Sometimes it is prudent to just trash a harp. Considering the effort involved in polishing, and the mystery of how much benefit is gained versus the expense/bother/time/mistakes in workmanship/snagging reeds while attempting to repair something else/amount of time you have on the harp with respect to 'mileage', etc., and etc.
No, I don't think anyone has done a study as to the comparison(s) of an unpolished harp against a polished harp. And if they did, it's a secret.
smokey joe (who, being part Polish..used to Polish).
On Nov 10, 2013, at 2:21 PM, Ben Bouman wrote:
I absolutely agree with Greg on reed polishing!!!
Ben Bouman www.customharmonicashop.nl www.harmonicainstituut.nl www.marble-amps.com
Op 10 nov 2013, om 19:41 heeft Greg Jones het volgende geschreven:
Reed failure is an unfortunate by-product of playing the harp. It is just
like guitar players who have to change strings, drummers buy sticks, etc.
I've had good success with reed polishing and have replaced about 400 Seydel diatonic reeds and 50 Seydel chromatic reeds in the past 6 months for customers around the world. I think it is an economical solution to this problem.
I know there is debate on the effectiveness of reed polishing and the value
of it will only be known in time, but I can say that in my personal
experience the results have been favorable with extended reed life after
polishing.
There is more information on this on my web site as well as instructions for getting your Seydel diatonic or chromatic repaired.
-- *Greg Jones* *16:23 Custom Harmonicas* *(210) 445-6600* 1623customharmonicas.com