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Harp cleaning has changed the ability to bend 3 draw

3 replies [Last post]
Tue, 10/14/2025 - 09:11
sparkyburp
sparkyburp's picture
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Joined: 10/09/2022

Hi Kinya,

 

I have just cleaned my 'G' harp in an ultrasonic bath with some water and specialist detergent. After reassembly, the 3 draw bend is difficult to sound every time. It takes a lot more air to get it to sound at all.

Holes 1 - 4 and 6 bends are fine and the 3 draw and 3 blow are also OK. I'm sure I've not forgotten how to bend on just the one hole. Any idea what the issue might be?

 

 

Thanks,

 

Mark.

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Mon, 10/20/2025 - 13:06
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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No worries

Hello Mark, no worries.

On occasion, ultrasonic cleansing dislodges coagulated saliva and debris--which has a tendancy to settle between the reed and reed plate slot, rendering the harmonica unplayable.

Next Steps:

  1. disassemble your harmonica and examine both the 3 BLOW and DRAW reeds under magnification and good lighting
  2. look for any debris that may be blocking the travel of the swinging reed
  3. also check to make certain the reed did not pivot off axis and is perfectly centered within the sides and tip of the reed plate slot. Otherwise some portion of the swinging reed will click against the interior of the reed plate slot
  4. plink the reeds and listen for a clear tone, many times this will clear the issue 
  5. verify the gaps on the free end of the BLOW and DRAW reeds are within the .005~.006 range
  6. as a refresher, check out my video on Optimum Reed Gapping: 

https://youtu.be/eI3aS_5HD34

Let us know how things went

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

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Sun, 10/19/2025 - 13:10
#2
sparkyburp
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Joined: 10/09/2022
Harp cleaning has changed the ability to bend 3 draw

Thanks Kinya,

 

I'll try those things and report back. Meanwhile, I've bought a replacement harp until I've fixed the faulty one.

 

Mark.

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Mon, 10/20/2025 - 13:05
#3
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Remember to always keep your old harmonicas

Good move Mark.

Remember to always keep your old harmonicas. You'll be able to harvest the good reeds for future repairs.

Before I became a Hohner Dealer (w/access to factory reeds), I would purchase (ebay) used Hohner Special 20 and Marine Band harmonicas. Many times the harmonica would be almost new with 1 faulty reed. This meant I was able to harvest 19 good reeds! Eventually I purchased Vitamin/Pill Boxes/Cassettes and organized my cache of reeds by harmonica keys and the corresponding reeds. This expedited my reed repair work flow.

For example; for the C Harmonica Cassette

  • BLOW: 1
  • NOTE: C
  • DRAW: 1
  • NOTE: D
  • BLOW: 2
  • NOTE: E
  • DRAW: 2
  • NOTE: G
  • etc, etc

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

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