Crossover A harp Reed Rattle
Kinya,
I have a Crossover A harp that has had a nasty rattle on the B1 draw reed for some time now. It's not technique. My Special 20s and Seydels draw just fine. It's also not a misaligned reed. I checked for that. I did notice something interesting though. If I leave the screws slightly loose on that end of the cover plates, the reed doesn't rattle. When I cinche the screws down, however, it rattles. Just that tiny bit seems to matter. I'm not cranking them down, either -- just snug. Another interesting thing, I checked the comb with a caliper and found that end at 0.231" and the high end at 0.230". So the affected end is slightly thicker.
Any thoughts on what to do to correct this? The harp was purchased not too long after the Crossover became available, but a quick visual inspection doesn't seem to show any differences between that harp's cover plates and any of my newer ones. Swapping the lower cover with a newer Crossover cover doesn't mitigate the problem either.
Thanks ahead as usual!
Thanks Kinya. I'll give those things a try.
I've been getting rather frustrated with the Crossover quality lately. I've had troubles with two out of seven harps -- not a good failure rate. The first one -- a Bb -- has a dead reed and for some reason, a non-lacquered comb. The second one is this issue. Both of these harps were from early batches. I hope the newer harps show better quality.
...I'm beginning to wonder if I should have just stuck with my Seydels.
Thanks for for the advise though! If anything, these failures give me a chance to try my skills with your tutelage.
Keep us posted!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Kinya,
I was able to get around to trying the micropore tape to no avail. It's still rattling with the same intensity. I guess now, it's likely "clicking" as you indicated. You mention sliding a 0.001" feeler gauge around the reed. Is that to center the reed in the slot? If so, do I take it that you would slide the gauge into the side gap of the reed (between the reed and the reed plate slot) and move it end to end, then repeat the process on the other side of the slot? Where do I get a 0.001" feeler gauge to do this with?
Thanks ahead -- as usual!
Any auto supply store will stock feeler guages.
I would recommend that you dismantle your harmonica and hold up the reed plate(s) to the light when doing this procedure. This way you will be able use the sliver of light surrounding the reed as your guide.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi JJ
Is it really a rattle, or more like a fast clicking?
Interesting about erasing the problem by loosening the cover plate screws.
If it is clicking, it could be bowing reed plates. A phenomenon that occurs with those reed plate slots that have super close tolerances. I find that with aggressive embossing, tightening the reed plate screws and cover plates can bow the reed plate slots inward towards the reeds. The active reed will "click" against the sides of the reed plate slot as it passes through.
Try these proven strategies:
If it is rattling, I suspect the swinging reed is hitting the inside of the cover plate. If so, try these proven strategies:
Your Harpsmith, Kinya