new harmonica question
Hi everyone,
I recently bought a new harmonica and while it sounds pretty good out of the box, I notice that when I bend the notes, especially the three hole draw one and a half steps, the harp makes a really high pitched tinny whistle noise at the same time as the bend is on. This is the first new harp I've bought since I've been able to bend so I thought I'd put it on here to see if anyone knows how to fix it. It's not terrible, but it's a very piercing tone.
Basically is it technique, is it harp set up? I've heard folks talking about harps leaking air, or does it just need played a bit to 'break it in'?
Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
Graham
Hi John,
It's a Marine Band Deluxe harmonica. My other harps are Seydel Session Steel, Marine Band Crossover and Special 20s, none of which give the same noise. I wondered if the harp was at fault because the comb swells with playing (which I didn't think the Deluxe was meant to do) and the teeth of the comb are not all straight, but I'm perfectly happy to think it might be something I'm doing with that particular harp that's different from the others I've got just because it's a different style.
Thank you for your reply,
Graham
Graham:
For issues with Swelling Comb and Crooked Teeth, I suggest you repost where the harmonica repair guru hangs out:
Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard
With the problems you have experienced with this harp it may very well be a faulty instrument. Suggest you ask Kinya. Good luck.
Squeals are usually a technique issue, if the note sounds fine when you're not bending.
It's not a leakiness issue. That would sound different.
That said, a simple fix is to rub a little wax or dab a little nail polish in the reed near the base, as this can help damp the torsional (side-to-side) vibration that can cause squeals.
The comb issue sounds like faulty seealing, which I've known to happen with the Deluxe. If you contact Hohner they'll likely send you a replacement comb (possibly a Crossove comb, as Hohner USA doesn't stock the Deluxe; Rockin' Ron gets them direct from Europe, I believe).
Thank you to everyone for their contrinution, I'll plug away with it, sounds like the high pitched noise is likely technique and I'll give Hohner an email about the comb,
Grateful for this forum,
Graham
in the interest of forum communication I would make the following comments but be aware I am no expert
without knowing the brand and key of the harp I would make the general comment that if the harp is a quality instrument and the reeds are gapped correctly then there is a better than even chance that it is tecneque. You seem to imply that the issue is there for all bend reeds so that would tend to piont to tecneque.