Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

reed alignment

3 replies [Last post]
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 20:00
jfpaschal
jfpaschal's picture
Offline
Level 2
Joined: 02/07/2012

 

I been working on refurbishing an old hohner sp 20. and I about got it finished except I ran into a problem with reed alignment. Just about every time I start to tighten in the screws. the reed wants to pull to one side or the other down by the screw. It just a small piece of the reed that overlapping the slot. That's making a clicking sound when I go to play it.

I have tried to hold the reed still with a reed wrench. while looking through the light box and tighten in the screw. and I have tried the method you showed in the video lesson. And am still having this problem on some of the reeds. I wanted to know if there any other method that I can use to keep the reed it alignment when I go to tighten in the screw. That wont make it pull and overlap to one side or the other.

 

 

 

 

Top
Mon, 03/09/2015 - 13:28
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
Offline
Expert
Joined: 02/07/2010
Hi JF, Grrrrr! Sort of takes

Hi JF, Grrrrr! Sort of takes the fun out of changing reeds doesn't it?

  1. If you had not already done so, slip on a "0" size washer onto your 0-80 bolt (screw). The washer will apply downward pressure onto the reed pad and reduce the rotation, during the tightening process
  2. Master Harp Tech, Richard Sleigh sprinkles a dash of graphite on top of the reed plate (where the reed pad makes contact). This "grit" as Richard calls it, digs into the plate and bottom of the reed pad, and prevents the reed from shifting (rotating on it's axis) 
  3. Roughing the surface of the reed plate, by scoring it with sandpaper, is another proven technique
  4. Insert a .001" ,inbetween the reed and reed plate slot ont the clockwise side). This will act as a fence to stop the reed from going past the opening of the slot.

Let us know how it goes!

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Top
Sat, 03/21/2015 - 18:13
#2
jfpaschal
jfpaschal's picture
Offline
Level 2
Joined: 02/07/2012
  I just got my # 0 washers

 

I just got my # 0 washers and extra 0-80 screws from fastenal.com. The tip you gave me about using the #0 washer worked great. The reeds aligned up great with no trouble. Now all I got left to do is regap the reeds. Then tune up the reeds and get the overblow bending to work. And the sp20 that am working on will be done.

 

Top
Mon, 03/23/2015 - 08:41
#3
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
Offline
Expert
Joined: 02/07/2010
Lovin' it! Your Harpsmith,

Lovin' it!

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com