Lee Oskar Reed Sticks
Tue, 11/26/2013 - 17:38
Hi Winslow...Question: I just put new reed plates in my Lee Oskar Bb harp. It sounds great. The only problem is that the 1+ often fails to sound during play. If I let it rest for a few moments, or if I play a 1 draw first, it seems to reset it. My thought is that the vibrations of the reed are somehow making it stick. Have you ever experienced this and do you know a fix? Or, do I just need to break the new plates in by more play?
Thanks...Francis
Hi, Francis. If the reed doesn't play well now it's not likely to change. Breaking in, as far as I can tell, is the instrument breaking in the player (Hey, here I am, deal with it!) rather than the other way around. Some mild differences you can get used to. Others may simply be too annoying and hard to pussyfoot around, though.
I'd check the gap on the reed. It should be slightly higher than the next reed in Hole 2. Compare it with the gap of the same reed on the old reedplate (if that one played well for you). If the tip seems too low or high, you can flex it up or down to adjust the gap. Be careful doing this, as a little goes a long way.
Hope this helps.