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Forums :: Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

reed waxing

1 reply [Last post]
Sun, 11/06/2016 - 17:36
jfpaschal
jfpaschal's picture
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Level 2
Joined: 02/07/2012

Hi Kinya I have been experimenting with reed waxing. I have experiment with two MS big river harps. So that I don't mess up my Golden Melody Harps. I have experimented with orthodontic wax and bees wax with mineral oil. And I have watched Richard sleigh videos.

With the orthodontic wax I noticed that it really didn't take out the squeal when doing the over blow. So I don't know if the reason the squeal didn't come out is if because I didn't use enough wax. But the good thing is none of my reeds dint stick. But I got a nice mint taste from the orthodontic wax.

Now with the bees wax with the mineral oil I made up. The blow reeds worked fine. But the draw reeds some of them seemed to stick. And the reeds that seem to stick are from 6 draw to 10 draw. And my 2 and 3 draw bends seem harder to bend. But good thing is no squeal on any over blows. And I have some questions about reed waxing.

  1. I have a heating pad under my harps to heat them up before playing. Is there any chance the heat from the heating pad will melt the wax on the harp?
  2. Will the ultra sonic cleaner mess up the wax? And would I have to re-wax the harp after giving the harp a bath?
  3. How often do you generally have to re-wax a harp?
  4. How do I keep the reeds from sticking after applying the waxs. Because when I flicked the reeds they seemed liked they responded ok.

And any other suggestion you can give me will be great.

 

 

 

 

 

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Sat, 11/12/2016 - 09:03
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Expert
Joined: 02/07/2010
Hello JF, wow--you have been

Hello JF, wow--you have been busy!

Q1: I have a heating pad under my harps to heat them up before playing. Is there any chance the heat from the heating pad will melt the wax on the harp?

A1: If left to bake too long--Yes

Q2: Will the ultra sonic cleaner mess up the wax? And would I have to re-wax the harp after giving the harp a bath?

A2: Yes and Yes

Q3: How often do you generally have to re-wax a harp?

A3: I wax so infrequently, I'm afraid I can not comment with certainty. My sense; however, is that when you struggle to hit the perfect notes--you lost the seal. Time to re-wax.

Q4: How do I keep the reeds from sticking after applying the waxs. Because when I flicked the reeds they seemed liked they responded ok.

A4: Apply less wax

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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