Re: [Harp-L] gapping at the factory

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Gapping would have toÂbe done after riveting them to the plates (duh) and before tuning (gapping affects tuning, so is best done first). I did the Hohner factory tour in 2013 but don't remember seeing gapping being done.ÂWinslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Producer, theÂHarmonica Collective
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.comInstructor, JazzschoolÂCommunity Music School
      From: JON KIP <jon@xxxxxxxxxx>
 To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
 Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 12:34 PM
 Subject: [Harp-L] gapping at the factory
   
I'm wondering at what point in the manufacturing of chromatic harmonicas, (probably same for diatonic) that the gapping is done. I have some packages of new reeds for hohner's deluxe 270, and I don't think they come with any arcing at all. I've seen that i have to gap them in order to just have them set at a nominal gap above the plate, before I mess with them, and start them on the road to ruination and almost certain death, where, for a brief moment, they react well and are in tune.

So far, the option of a "Delete" button when you remove too much metal from a reed seems to be better than just retuning in the opposite direction....but none of my harmonica tools has a "delete" or "UnDo" button .... another example of Hohner remaining in the Dark Ages, i suppose.

I've seen the "How a harmonica is made" video and it doesn't mention gapping them.

Anyone know when the gapping happens in making a chromatic at the factory?

thanks