stuck reeds

Hello Unger

As a rule, today most harmonicia manufactures stamp out the slots for reed plates with the "proper" tolerances for the swinging reeds.

Here's my thinking:

1. If you practice good oral hygiene (no soda and popcorn before playing your harmonica) ...
2. If you "knock" the saliva out of your instrument after "every" session ...
3. If you do not carry an unsheathed harmonica in your pocket full of lint and toothpicks ...

Then it can only be three things:

1. The end of the free reed gap is set too close to the reed plate.
2. The reed pivoted off it's axis (rivet) and is hitting the inside of the reed plate slot
3. The reed has fractured at the rivet end.

Try this:

1. Both the Hohner Crossover and Seydel 1847 harmonica are assembled with bolts.
2. With a small philips jewlers (Wiha Pozi preferred) screwdriver, remove the two cover plates, followed by two reed plates (remember how they marry up to the comb, so you can reverse the process for assembly).
3. With the reeds facing you, hold the draw reed plate up to the light (use magnification), then peer through the reed to see if there is an even sliver of light surrounding the #2 draw reed. 
4. With your toothpick, push the reed in/out of the slot to check for clearance.
5. If you find the reed to be off axis, you can use a reed wrench (available from Richard Sleigh: rrsleigh@gmail.com) on the rivet pad to adjust accordingly.
6. Another technique I saw while visiting the Hohner factory in Trossingen, Germany, is to insert a thin shim stock (automotive feeler guage .002") to the opposite side of the reed and "leverage" it over to the proper position.
7. If this works reassemble your harmonica.

If these tips/technique do not work, then attach close up photos to this forum and have me troubleshoot this annoying issue for you.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

If you find it difficult to locate the Hohner tool kit, contact Richard Sleigh.

Keep us posted of your progress.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya