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Bowed Comb

3 replies [Last post]
Sat, 08/12/2023 - 02:45
m.marco
m.marco's picture
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Joined: 01/08/2023

Hello Kinya

I've not bene playing my A crossover in a month and half because I was exploring the low frequencies of my new G special 20. 

Yesterday I took I out of the bag and realized how difficult was to full bend 3 draw at low volume and also that there was a lot of air leakage. I looked at the harp and realized that there was space between the combo and the reedplate. I removed the cover and this Is now It look.

https://ibb.co/mTn1xwh

https://ibb.co/VLWhrWh

The reedplate seems to be bowed front to back. I don't know if two month ago It was already like this. For sure at first i used to overtighten the screw. Not anymore.

Is there a way to fix It or it Is now ready fo the trash bin?

 

Thank you in advance

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Tue, 08/22/2023 - 08:59
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Joined: 02/07/2010
Labor intensive, but worth it

Hello Marco, of course the gaps would not be as excessive with the leading edge of the cover plates bolted in place--but, any air leakage is a major bummer for us players. 

You can easily flat sand the comb, but my experience tells me the real issue are with your reed plates!

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench (10D)

To mitigate this issue you have to be prepared to spend ALOT of time on the bench:

  1. DRAW REED PLATE; prepare the perfectly flat sheet of Wet/Dry 320g or 400g sandpaper with Sprayway Window Cleaner. This will yield the best results, because it washes away the brass residue during the sanding process. When the reed plate displays an even mirror-like finish, stop sanding, then rinse the plate with soap and water
  2. BLOW REED PLATE; remove all ten reeds--and put them in a safe place--then use the above technique to flatten the reed plate. Replace the reeds with one of the four strategies I demonstrated on my HARPSMITH Workbench videos

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench (11A, part 2)

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench (9A)

Like I forwarned, this will be a labor intensive process, but will definetly rectify your current issue and save your harmonica from the recycling bin ;o)

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

 

 

 

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Wed, 10/18/2023 - 15:30
#2
m.marco
m.marco's picture
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Joined: 01/08/2023
Don't have an Heart attack

Hey Kinya it's been a while, but i've just flatsanded draw reedplate and the comb and seems like that It worked. I'll do the blowplate when i'll be proficient at replacing reeds.

 

Anyway you may be asking why I did this only after two months... Well... Look at this https://i.postimg.cc/28VTYr2P/IMG-20230815-022401.jpg

I fixed It with a bit of tape. It sounded good and had minimal leakage at hole 10 and 2. I could even play the whole chromatic scale!

Btw going back to what causes the problema i do think i sanded very badly both reedplate and comb and I used to tighten screw to much!

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Wed, 10/18/2023 - 16:05
#3
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Joined: 02/07/2010
Hi Marco, I am pleased to

Hi Marco, I am pleased to learn your "hack" rectified the problems you were having. 

Like anything worth doing well... PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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