[Harp-L] Re: Reed changing help

[Rick Epping <rickepping@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Tom,

Vern could be right about a possible raised area around either the rivet
hole in the reedplate or the hole in the replacement reed, assuming the
replacement reed is a one removed from another harmonica.

I would only suggest that if you are using rivets to attach reeds, any
raised areas around rivet holes, either on the plate or on the reed, should
be hammered flat rather than filed flat.  This will reduce the diameter of
the holes closer to their original size and help assure a secure rivet.
Any hammering on the reed, however, should be very light to avoid stressing
it.

If you're attaching reeds by other means, such as screws, then filing
raised areas around the rivet holes should be fine.

Best regards,
Rick


> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 13
> Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2015 15:13:38 -0800
> From: Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Reed changing help
> To: tom cox <tcslim@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx Harp L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <67A11EC4-C28E-4A8A-A0FB-C13722E64CF4@xxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
> Is it possible that the actual point of attachment is near the hole/screw
> and not at the edge of the reed base.  Could it be that you created a
> raised burr when you pressed out the old rivet and then failed to file it
> flat again?  If the reed is sitting up on such a burr, then part of the
> base could be acting as a reed extension and lowering the pitch. I wish I
> could use a picture.
>
> Functional reed length and pitch are affected by where the reed first
> touches the plate.
>
> The edge of the reed base toward the tip should be in firm contact with
> the plate. This requires that the reed base and the plate be flat or maybe
> slightly concave but definitely not convex.
>
> Vern
>
>
> > On Feb 14, 2015, at 1:59 PM, tom cox <tcslim@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > I've just got the seydel toolkit and have been getting used to (not that
> successfully) removing and exchanging reeds.
> >
> > I'm really struggling to align the reeds in the slots on the one hand,
> the other issue is a mystery to me.
> > I have selected a 5draw same key  to replace a 5draw broken reed. When I
> came to check the reed it was way out of tune, even though it was fine on
> the original plate. It was reading C # and not D  which a 5draw on an A
> should be. I am completely confused and frustrated as to why this would be?
> > Could anyone shed any light on this issue and generally offer some
> advice on using the seydel toolkit.
> > I'm replacing Marine Band reeds.
> >
> > Thanks for any help
> >
> > Tom
> >
>
>