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Gapping, Tuning, Embossing, Reed Shaping

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Sat, 02/07/2015 - 17:56
Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward's picture
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Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011

Hi Kinya,

What is the sequence you use when setting up harmonicas?  There's Tuning, Gapping, Reed Shaping, Embossing, etc.  What's the best order to do all these for hot rodding up my harmonicas?  Perhaps you could do a video segment sometime on the step by step of start to finish  that you go about monkeying with an out of the box harmonica before you throw it in your gig case as one of your workhorses.

I'm getting all these techniques but don't know the order to put them in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Taylor

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Sun, 02/08/2015 - 09:58
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Joined: 02/07/2010
Hi Taylor, Play the stock

Hi Taylor,

  1. Play the stock harmonica, and document those reeds that respond and sound well. Many high quality harmonicas--out of the box--require very little set up
  2. Disassemble the harmonica: cover plates, reed plates
  3. With good ambient lighting, hold the reed plate lengthwise--with the free reeds on top--and sight the reeds from this side view. Your task is to examine the reed profiles and gapping. Compare the these profiles to your out-of-the box notes. It is very possible that those reeds that played well won't require any tweeking at all
  4. Set the reed's "zero points"(remember, the gap at the rivet end of the reed is equally as important as the free end)
  5. Using a light box, emboss (a.k.a. Size) the reed plate slots--especially the rivet end of the reeds. Performing this procedure over a good light source will enable you to close the tolerance of the reed plate slots with surgical precision (no more guessing!)
  6. Profile each reed to set the free end of the reed's gap-to-reed plate
  7. Tune (with cover plates will detune -1 cent)
  8. Allow the reeds to rest (some Harp Techs wait 6 weeks) and settle into their new orientation. Remember, reeds are spring metal.
  9. Play, fine tune (if necessary). The Richard Sleigh draw scrapper is excellent for this process, because you don't have to dissemble your harmonica
  10. Hit the band stand and Wowee -WOW your flock of fans ;o)

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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