[Harp-L] Chromatic harmonica maintenance

[Slim Heilpern]

There are two valves that can have an impact the playability of a given reed (excepting a few of the highest reeds). The valve that activates on blow and the one that activates on draw. Only one of them will tend to cause what you're describing and that would be the valve that opens when you blow and closes when you stop blowing on that reed (the other can cause what I would call fluttering by not closing completely when drawing). The stickiness can prevent the valve from opening right away (or in extreme cases, opening at all) delaying the vibration of the reed.

The G, being a blow reed, is on the inside of the reed plate and the valve that keeps it from sounding is on the outside. So it's one of the easier ones to service since you don't have to unscrew the reed plates.

First thing to try would be cleaning the underside of that valve gently with soapy water (some people use a bit of newspaper to apply it, I use a chamois swab) and then carefully wipe it dry.

If that doesn't fix it, I would replace that valve (don't ask me where to pickup Kongsheng valves, I have no idea. I would just use a valve from a different manufacturer).

When you remove the old valve, before applying the new one, take a minute to test that G and make sure the symptom you were experiencing is no longer present. 

BTW, the downside of leaving that slot valveless will be an airy A note (since that's what that valve is trying to prevent).

Caveat: I am not a professional harmonica tech, I just work on my own harps. Perhaps a real tech will have better suggestions.

Hope this helps....

- Slim

> On Oct 4, 2023, at 7:58 AM, harplayer.roger at xxxxx <harplayer.roger at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Thank you for your response it is there very intermittently and the breath being hard or soft makes no difference. 
> Is it the valve on the outside of the reedplate on a blow note?
> It almost seems like my lip is blocking the note by bad technique however it is only on that note and that harmonica. I have been playing chromatic harmonica for 30 years. 
> I am stumped. Thanks
> Roger
> 
> 
> Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661>
> 
> On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 11:37 PM, Slim Heilpern <slim at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Is the delayed response there regardless if you blow very lightly or very hard?
> 
> If not, it could be a gapping issue.
> 
> Otherwise, almost certainly a sticky valve. 
> 
> - Slim
> 
> https://slimandpenny.com <https://slimandpenny.com/>
> 
> 
> 
> > On Oct 3, 2023, at 5:08 PM, harplayer.roger--- via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx <mailto:harp-l at xxxxx>> wrote:
> > 
> > I have a fairly new Konsheng Boogieman chromatic harmonica the Low G blow hole 3 has a very intermittent sticking like a delayed response. I am not able to figure out what to do to fix it. I have soaked it in water trying to clean it thinking it might be a dirty sticking valve but that has not fixed it. 
> > 
> > Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
> > Roger
> > 
> > 
> > Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
>