2 blow reed is hard to blow
I have a new seydel in the key of A. I am having trouble with the two blow reed. It is hard to describe but it's hard to blow on that reed. I used a tuner and its in pitch. I have to blow a lot harder than I should to make it sound. I took it apart and checked the gap On both sides and it appears to be equal.
Any thoughts?
It is a seydel big six in the key of A. I bought it for its size, something I could carry around all the time on the go. The seydel 2 blow almost feels like I am blowing thru a straw that is half blocked at the end. I usually play special 20's and I have not experienced troubles with the two blow. I took them apart and compared the gaps. I noticed the gap on the seydel was tight so I gapped both the 2draw and blow reeds to .015in(0.381mm). It seemed to play a lot better, I could blow softer and the reed would sound. Although it is still not completley normal. I played my other harps(G,Bb,C) just to compare and all of them I could play softly. I am not sure what to do next. (or maybe it will get easier the more I play it)?
I recommend setting your 2 blow gap in the range of .005" ~ .007".
If you're satisfied with the way the 2 draw behaves, then leave it the way it is. If not, open that gap a little bit at a time, until you are pleased with the natural E note (this should sound exactly like your 3 blow)... how do the two bent notes sound (Eb, D)?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Dsaccucci, sorry to learn you are experiencing grieve with the 2 blow.
What model Seydel is this trouble maker?
Have you ever experienced this issue with any other A harmonicas?
If you were to dismantle the Seydel blow reed plate from the comb, and do the same for your favorite A harmonica, then compare the gaps between both reed plates (using feeler gauges)--would those gaps be identical?
Let me know, so I can help you troubleshoot this problem.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya