Crossover A harp Reed Rattle
Kinya,
I have a Crossover A harp that has had a nasty rattle on the B1 draw reed for some time now. It's not technique. My Special 20s and Seydels draw just fine. It's also not a misaligned reed. I checked for that. I did notice something interesting though. If I leave the screws slightly loose on that end of the cover plates, the reed doesn't rattle. When I cinche the screws down, however, it rattles. Just that tiny bit seems to matter. I'm not cranking them down, either -- just snug. Another interesting thing, I checked the comb with a caliper and found that end at 0.231" and the high end at 0.230". So the affected end is slightly thicker.
Any thoughts on what to do to correct this? The harp was purchased not too long after the Crossover became available, but a quick visual inspection doesn't seem to show any differences between that harp's cover plates and any of my newer ones. Swapping the lower cover with a newer Crossover cover doesn't mitigate the problem either.
Thanks ahead as usual!
Keep us posted!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Any auto supply store will stock feeler guages.
I would recommend that you dismantle your harmonica and hold up the reed plate(s) to the light when doing this procedure. This way you will be able use the sliver of light surrounding the reed as your guide.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi JJ
Is it really a rattle, or more like a fast clicking?
Interesting about erasing the problem by loosening the cover plate screws.
If it is clicking, it could be bowing reed plates. A phenomenon that occurs with those reed plate slots that have super close tolerances. I find that with aggressive embossing, tightening the reed plate screws and cover plates can bow the reed plate slots inward towards the reeds. The active reed will "click" against the sides of the reed plate slot as it passes through.
Try these proven strategies:
If it is rattling, I suspect the swinging reed is hitting the inside of the cover plate. If so, try these proven strategies:
Your Harpsmith, Kinya