I have a D crossover, and I have the same problem as you : the 3rd bend is unplayable. The sound is deadened. I'm used to gap harps, but I can't get proper bends from this hole. Anyway, I play with SP 20s, which sometimes ask lot of gapping, but I've never been disappointed with this model (but I didn't bought the latest SP 20s with the new cover plates yet). Sebastien