Tip of the Week for "valved" harmonicas
Hello Harp Techs
Buzzing windsavers (valves) on chromatic and valved diatonic harmonicas are super annoying. Trying to identify exactly where the bugger might be hiding can be an equally frustrating event.
My tip for this week, is a technique borrowed from our reed work--PLINKING.
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Remove the cover plates to expose the in-plain sight windsavers
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Plink the windsaver by inserting a reed tool underneath the free end of the windsaver
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Arch the windsaver upward, then flick the tool away from the windsaver and
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Allow the windsaver to return
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The windsaver should snapback convincingly and rest perfectly flat over the reed plate slot.
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If it does not, i.e. returns sluggishly, or does not lay flat (Notice how the last 50% of windsaver #4 has a slight curve to it--this is NO bueno!)--then you have a faulty windsaver prone to cause buzzing
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Replace it!
- If none of the plain view windsavers have issues, remove the reed plates from the comb and repeat the above steps to the hidden windsavers.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
