[Harp-L] Gaskets for Special 20, Lee Oskar, and Seydel Session Diatonic Harmonicas

[Vern]

This is a generous offer and a nice invitation to try the product.  There is nothing like a free sample.  That’s the reason I prefer the farmer’s market to the grocery store.

I’m skeptical about the efficacy of plate gaskets.  Assuming combs and plates that are not egregiously warped, the amount of air escaping under the plates is minuscule compared to the amount escaping around the opening reed. Gasketing or grouting the plates is like weatherstripping the windows in a room with an open doorway. 

My experience is mostly with chromatics with valves where the slide is the main source of leakage. Leakage would be expected to be more of a problem with the larger combs and plates. However, I have never encountered a leakage problem with undamaged combs or plates. Any opening that can’t be closed by snugging the plate screws will be visible.  In that case, a gasket is not the best remedy.

I suggest the following experiment:
- Seal the blow-reed slots with tape on the top of the plate.
- Attach a tube to one of the reed chambers. (Silicone caulking compound is useful in sealing around the tube.)
- Submerge the harp (without covers) in water.
- Blow into the tube
- Observe the source of the bubbles.
I’ll be surprised if you see any bubbles emerging from under the plates. But you will see many escaping around the draw reed.

For these reasons, I doubt that gaskets perceptibly affect harmonica performance.

Vern
 
> On Nov 4, 2016, at 11:31 AM, <flyingv8 at xxxxx> <flyingv8 at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Hey guys. Dee (Don Makowski) from Dee's Finely Tuned Instruments here. I have developed and manufactured sealing gaskets for Hohner Special 20, Lee Oskar, and Seydel Session diatonic harmonicas. The gaskets (2 per harp) seal between the brass reed plate and plastic comb. They are made from .005 thick foods grade ptfe and are washable/re-usable and will not mold. I have had several people try them out as well as testing them extensively myself over the past 6 months and all have seen a noticeable improvement in the harps response. I want to offer these to the community for free for a short time to get a general consensus. If you contact me through my website with your address and type of gasket you need I will send 2 at no charge. I have never been a Lee Oskar guy but after putting the gaskets on I love those harps. I am really excited about this and I think you will be amazed at the difference! www.deesfti.com
> Thanks!