Re: [Harp-L] Seydel Repair Options

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

Stress concentrations can occur at abrupt changes in cross section.  Polishing can avoid them.  Thus there is a basis for believing that polishing can affect longevity.  However, measuring this effect would not be easy.  It might be present but insignificant.

An experiment or study to determine the effect of any treatment or material on the longevity of reeds would be difficult and expensive.

It would require a statistically significant number of treated (polished) reeds and an equal number of untreated (unpolished ) but otherwise identical reeds as a control.  Then you would need a machine to blow them under controlled pressure until they failed.  The difference in times between when half of each group failed would then be an indicator of longevity.

You could not draw any valid conclusions from a few harmonicas played in the usual manner. 

Vern 

On Nov 10, 2013, at 11:21 AM, Ben Bouman <fitgo@xxxxxxxxxx> 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
>