Straighten warped cover plates ?
The last harmonica I bought is rather leaky: It does not respond well and needs lots of air for bending.
After tuning the reeds several times, I realized that the problem was not with the reeds but rather with the cover plates: They were not flat and their front edge did not fit well into the groove on the reedplate.
This was the moment I gave up, because I cannot image how to straighten the cover plates. And so I ask here: Is there an easy way to straighten coverplates ? Or ist this advanced stuff (and depends too much on the exact ways the plates are bend) ?
As background: The harmonica is a Suzuki Manji in disguise and I rather "blame" the dealer (a local musicstore) than the manufacturer: I imagine somebody has forgotten it in his backpocket when sitting down and then returned it without telling ...
Best, Marc
Hi Kinya,
below you see me holding the covers of my manji without the body of the harp (just as you do in your video); the gap is clearly visible ...
And I even remember having to straighten at least one reedplate ... so someone treated the instrument rather unfriendly or at least forgot it in his backpocket when sitting down :- )
When, as the experiment you suggested, I use the covers of a crossover (hold them in place with my fingers), the manjis body actually plays quite nicely ! So it will be worthwhile to get some replacement covers !
Thanx for your advice !
Marc
Hey Marc, this weekend I will send photos on cover plate straightening methods. In the meantime, if you have access to 1/2" Surgical Tape, like 3m Micropore you can seal the leakage from inside the cover plate. Works great!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
looking forward to some suggestions; after all this harp really looks great, so it is worth some more repairing efforts ...
(in the meantime I have enough C-harps, so no need for an intermediate tape-solution :-)
Marc
Copy that Marc.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Marc, check this out:
From the top;
Vise-Grip Original Locking Pliers/Sheet Metal Tool, 8 inch
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/solid-joint-pliers/21711
Tool Maker’s Mallet 2 oz
https://www.micromark.com/Toolmakers-Mallet-2-oz-
Stanley 8oz Soft Face Hammer
⅝” Wooden Dowel
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/building-supplies/lumber-and-trim/dowels/52158
STRATEGY #1
Requires the wooden dowel and hammer. Cut the ⅝” diameter dowel to 3 ⅛” length
File flat one side of the dowel the full length
Tilt the cover plate approximately 45 degrees against a cutting board surface. PVC material works the best.
Place the round side of the dowel inside the cover plate against the mouthpiece, then tap the flat side of the dowel with the hammer until the bent leading edge of the cover plate has been straightened to your satisfaction.
Note, if I wasn’t holding the camera, I would have been securing the dowel with my other hand.
STRATEGY #2: Vice Grip Tool
You may have noticed that I lined my tool with a self adhering black leatherette material to protect my cover plates from being scratched. Painter’s Blue Tape will work as well.
Clamp the duck-bill jaws onto the leading edge of the cover plate. The compression will straighten the cover plate.
Let us know how your operation went.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Kinya,
this looks doable; will give this a try over the next weekend ... thanx in advance !
Best
Marc
Stay in touch Marc
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Kinya,
more or less as you suggested I used two pliers to apply preasure and two straight pieces of wood to distribute the preasure evenly. It worked out very well !
However (see the image below) on the edge of my cover plate, beyound hole 10, there is a small curve in the metal, which can easily be detected by watching the light reflections. This small deformation still prevents the plate from sitting correctly in the groove of the reedplate.
I even fear, that I have introduced this myself during my first attempts to repair this (even before I wrote to this forum).
Best Option now seems to put some tape on my pliers and try to work this area into a better (i.e. straighter) shape ...
regards
Marc
Hey Marc, your strategy should work. Just be careful not to mar the surface with the pliers.
Again the 3.25" x 5/8" tool works the best. I'm afraid your block was not formed correctly.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Howdy Marchim and welcome. Sorry to hear about your "crushed" Manji.
I love the Manji cover plates... absolutely gorgeous and functional. In fact, shortly after the Manji model was released I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Suzuki at his factory in Hamamatsu, Japan. During my time with him, I congratulated him on releasing his most stunning diatonic harmonica in 65 years.
In general, all the components of the harmonica have to be fitted well to direct the air through the air chambers and resonant the reeds. Any air leakage will make playing the harmonica difficult. Having written that, your harmonica should play perfectly well without the cover plates. *Refer to Episode 5, "The Big Cover Up"
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench
The easiest way to troubleshoot your issue is to swap cover plates with another harmonica, preferably Manji. If you do not have another Manji, the Hohner Marine Band, Rocket, Special 20 cover plates will also lay nicely. The mounting holes won't match, but you can just pinch the ends to hold in place for your experiment.
Please report back to us with your findings!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya