[Harp-L] Brass Reeds vs Stainless Steel Reeds

[John Thaden]

Early on, SS reeds failed quicker for me than brass and tended more often (though still very rarely) to break instead of first go flat. I don't like eating reeds. Then something changed and now SS reeds last really long for me, probably longer than brass. As for sound quality and responsiveness, I notice no difference, whereas details about reed shape, profile, gapping, reedplate tolerance and air tightness of course can make a huge difference. 

- John Thaden
   jjthaden at xxxxx 
 
  On Sun, Jan 18, 2026 at 3:10 PM, JOSEPH LEONE via Harp-L<harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:   
> On 01/17/2026 12:54 PM EST David Fairweather <dmf273 at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
>  
> Your thoughts?

Wow, what a mistake, lolol. 
> 
> In my experience stainless steel reeds last longer.

Yes.

  But is there a trade
> off in sound quality?

Yes, I find ss to be more harsh. A sharper edge. 

> Do any of you have a preference?

I prefer brass for chromatic. Easing into bends is softer. I only prefer brasss for diatonic because I find the response faster. Otherwise ss for diatonic would be ok. 

  Does your preference change for diatonic
> vs chromatic harps?

See above. Btw, I have made reeds from the most unimaginable materials. Electrical contact points, cartridge cases, lipstick cases, razor blades, etc. All in a period of 70 yrs.  
As for commercially made ss reeds, I find them to be fine. But brass is softer and gives a bit of 'whip' or flex that is different from ss. Easier to make brass reeds cry. 

Just an opinion. smo-joe