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Forums :: General Discussion

Gary's Blues Broke my G Harp!

2 replies [Last post]
Fri, 08/25/2017 - 08:28
PM42
PM42's picture
Offline
Level 8
Joined: 10/13/2013

... well, ok: the fault is really mine for wailing on those 5-draw bends with far more force than is necessary. But I did flatten that 5-draw right out. I've ordered a replacement harp, but I'm wondering if there is anything I can do fix the current one. It is a stock Marine Band. Can I tinker with the reed at all to bring it back into shape, or is it a fallen soldier?

Has anybody else working through the LOA program fround Gary's Blues to be a particularly big challenge when they reached level 4? I've been at it for awhile, and it is just starting to round into form, but I think it'll take me another couple of weeks before it is polished and submittable. It'll be a mountain I'll be proud to have climbed once I get there.

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Fri, 08/25/2017 - 09:55
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
Expert Winslow Yerxa's picture
Offline
Expert
Joined: 01/16/2010
Reed revival

A reed that goes flat could be on its way to breaking off, or it could be still viable and susceptible to a little tuning.

To evaluate, you first need to pry off the botom cover to get at the draw reeds. Use a broad, stiff knife with a sharp blade that you can wedge under a cover tab and pry up each tab, leaving the nails in place. Try not to bend the tabs. Set the cover aside.

The 5 draw will be fifth from left, starting with the longest reed.

Use something thin and stiff to "plink" the reed - raise it a small amount and then withdraw the tool and let it vibrate - sort like a plucking motion. Do this several times.

  • Each time you plink a reed, you can hear it vibrating at the same pitch it sounds when you play it.
  • If the pitch stays constant after plinking maybe 20 times, there's a good chance that the reed is still viable.

If the pitch starts to go down with plinking, it's a goner. If you continue, the reed will start diving into the slot and not springing back, and will break off if you continue. Reeds can be replaced, but you need a donor reed and the tools and skill to remove the old reed and install a new one.

If the reed seems viable, you can tune it up.

  1. Place something stiff between the reed and the slot to support the reed.
  2. Use a very fine file (jeweller's file) or fine-grit sandpaper backed by a think stick (a sanding detailer, which you can get at a hobby shop, is an excellent tool for the purpose).
  3. Remove some material from the top surface of the reed (not the end of the reed; you don't want to shorten it).
  4. After a few strokes, plink the reeed to let it settle. Tune and then test in small increments so that you don't go too far.
  5. Play the reed to test the pitch.
  6. If it's at the desired pitch, you're good to go. If not, repeat the previous tuning, settling, and testing cycles.

Once the reed is tuned, you can reinstall the bottom cover by lining the nails up with their holes in the comb, and pressing them back into place.

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Fri, 08/25/2017 - 23:04
#2
John S
John S's picture
Offline
Level 8
Joined: 01/03/2017
Great tune

Sorry to hear about your G harp. Love the G. Yes the tune has its challenges. In my case the lung capacity or managing my breathing is the biggest challenge. Timing is also something that needs my focus.  With the breathing in some of the longer segments I am having to convert 2 draw to 3 blows. The instinctive response favours the blow rather than the draw at specific critical segments. Hope Dave is not listening. There is a lot to get through in LOA 4 so I am in no hurry. My wife might not agree : )  Good luck and enjoy the journey/climb. 

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