Screws diggin' at my lips...
Winslow, I'm using Special 20's while going through my entry-level lessons. While working on the low end of the harp, I'm finding the screw is digging into my lower lip. Why they don't make the screws flush on these I don't know (unless the user is operating the equipment improperly as might be the case).
Am I playing wrong - or should I replace the screws?
If I replace the screws, what should I replace them with?
My guess is that it's not the screws... but the material left where the injection molding leaves a sharp edge. Run your finger from back to front on the top left edge of the comb and you'll notice what I'm talking about. Cut this off with a knife or use a file. Just a guess... never heard of problems with the screws... but could be possible if you put a tons of harp in your mouth... maybe pucker-up a little bit.
With a little more playing around, it seems more like it's the cover crimp on the end now. There's a little gap there on the Special 20 that makes for a bit of a sharp edge. Maybe I just need to get used to it.
Trying out tongue blocking at the left end of s Special 20, the thing I notice (when I play attention) is the left edge of the cover. I mean the edge of the raised "canopy" that covers the reeds, not the edge of the flat tab. This edge does press against my lips as I move the harp. I get the same sensation with a Marine Band for the same reason.
I find that it's actually the top of the canopy and not the front crimp part that brushes against my lips because i ahve the harp well into my mouth, with the lips on the top and bottom of the covers.. But everyone is different, so it may well be that you're brushing against the crimp.
I notice it more when the harp travels to the left and re-enters my lips as I go for the high notes, and not so much as the harp travels to the right and out of my lips as I go for the low notes.
You might get used to this. However, if it bothers you, you could try a harp with covers that go all the way to the end of the reedplate. There are plenty to choose from, such as Hohner Golden Melody or Meisterklasse; Suzuki Promaster, Hammond, Firebreath, Bluesmaster or Fabulous; Seydel Blues Favorite or Blues Session.
Are you tongue blocking or puckering?
I'm not where I can pick up a Spcial 20 and investigate. What I might suggest is not to press the end of the harp so far into your lips.
The reason I mention tongue blocking is that the screws involve the right and left ends of the harp. If you're tongue blocking with the opening at the right corner of your lips and you go down to play Hole 1 or Hole 2, then your lips will partially cover the end of the harmonica.
One thing that happens when you tongue block at the end of the harp is that you "run out of harp" to hold between your lips. If nothing replaces the harp, then you may find air leaking out through your lips.
To keep air from leaking, perhaps you're pressing the harp farther into your face and coming into contact with the cover screws and those annoying butterfly nuts on the bottom cover.
You could try to find screws in the correct length (about 3/8 of an inch, maybe 5/16) in an appropriate size (2-56 machine screws if you're in the US) and a hexagonal nut, or even a round nut if they're available.
But a cheaper solution is to change the way you seal the end of your mouth that's hanging off the end of the harp.
What I do is to let the upper and lower lips collapse onto the front of my tongue as the harp travels to the right and the left end moves out from between my lips. This seals the lips perfectly and allows me to slip the harp back in between the lips as I move up the holes. And that way there's no need to put the harp so far into my mouth that I'm brushing against the cover screws.
However, I'm only guessing at what's going on, and, depending on your individual anatomy, this may or may not be a workable solution.
Let me know if this is helpful.
Winslow