inner vs. outer windsavers
I've replaced windsavers perhaps 10-15 times, on three different Hohner harmonicas. Every single time, it was an outer valve that needed replacing. Is this just an astronomically improbable coincidence, or is it just good karma that I didn't have to remove the reed plates to access the inner valves? Mechanically speaking, it would seem that the inner and outer windsavers are both exposed to similar amounts of moist blown air, which I would presume is the major cause for a windsaver's demise. It seems that the inner windsaver, however, is in more of a "wind tunnel" position and should experience more stress than the outer valve, but apparently, not so. So why am I always replacing my outer valves, but never my inner ones? I did damage a valve once due to improper handling, but I learned that lesson long ago.
I have had the same experience, and I'm most grateful for this phenomenon!
Here is my guess: When you play a blow note on the harmonica, you have your breath filling up a small compartment and this creates a lot of compression on the valves on the inside of the chamber, keeping them flat. When you play a draw note, you are pulling air from a much larger area so it does not push down on the outside valves with as much presure.
So the outside valves don't get "ironed down" with as much air pressure as the inside valves
Richard Sleigh
Thank you Sensei Sleigh!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
I got a reply from Danny G., a player well-known in chromatic harmonica circles. Long ago, he had mentioned to me that the inner valves rarely need replacing, except when the glue dries out, but I didn't drill down to the reason until now. Danny says that when you blow into your harmonica, the inner valves close so your warm, moist breath is directed to the open slot and condensation forms on and around the outer valves. Unlike the air you blow into the harmonica, the air you draw air into the harmonica is ambient air that has not been pre-heated or pre-moisturized by your lungs.
I've always thought it interesting that we know every single component of the ISS, the LHC and other hightech marvels, down to the nuts and bolts. Every single component has been tested and is understood down to the nth degree, but because the harmonica was crafted, and not designed in the way that modern things are, we actually don't understand every aspect of how it works. For instance, the whole step bend on the three hole can be obtained with either the 3 blow or the 3 draw alone or in combination, depending on your exact embouchure. This and other technical aspects of the instruments were only discovered in the last decade of the 20th century by Australian and American scientists. I know of only two good technical papers on the harmonica and it took me a lot of searching to find those.
Thanx HarpKat (and Danny G).
Good stuff!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
The valves on the inside are closed on the exhale and don't allow that moist breath to pass, the valves on the outside are always open on the exhale, allowing crud to flim up between them and the plate.
"Damn you CRUD on windsavers"!
Thanx for your input Joe. Always good to hear from you!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello HarpKat, Good to hear from you.
"Curse you, damn windsavers"! Let's call upon the chromatic mastery of Winslow Yerxa and Richard Sleigh. What say ye gentlmen?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya