Hole 3 Minor 3rd Draw Bend Squeek/Squeal
Hi Kinya
I'm hoping you can help.
I've just replaced the wood comb on a Marine Band with a Corian Comb. I have used a pre-drilled Blue Moon comb and drilled the holes for the new reed plate bolts/nuts with the original comb fastened to the wood comb and then after dismantelong the harmonica I have countersunk/removed the burrs on the drilled holes and flat sanded the draw plate.
Unfortunatly I didn't play the new harmonica before I do the modification so I'm not sure if It was like this before I did the modification :-/
The hato plays well all over the other holes and all notes sound well etc but it's a terrible squeal when I hit the Min or 3rd :-0
Any ideas on what could be causing this?
Many Thanks
Richard
Thanks for that!
I'll get straight on doing just that!
Cheers!
Richard
Sorry for the dealat.
I've managed to put some pictures in my thumbnails but I can't seem to attach them to the thread :-(
I am using just my iPhone though as my computer is on the fritz :-(
Cheers
Richard
Hello Richard
I just sent a note to webmaster Andy to request making it easier to incorporate photos on to this forum.
Well ... if your feeling up to the challenge, let's have you check the gap on the back end (rivet) of your reed:
- Remove both cover plates and reed plate screws, then pull aside the blow reed plate
- Whilst, hovering your finger (about 1/8") over the top of the #3+ reed, carefully slide a .0015" feeler guage inbetween the reed, and the top of the reed plate (slot).
- Gently push it back towards the rivet, until can go no further ... was it a difficult push? or did the guage slide in easily?
- Remove the guage, then repeat the process a couple more times
- Re-assemble your harmonica, then play it to determine if you had remedied the squealing issue
- If you were successful, celebrate with two shots of Grey Goose (no olives).
- If not, you still deserve four shots of Grey Goose (with olives) for your good attitude and hard work ;o)
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Cheers Kinya for coming back to even though I'd not managed to send over the pictures as yet.
I will have a go with that tomorrow.
Thanks again
Richard
Hi Kinya
I had a go at the feeler gauge tip and the gauge seemed to slide close up to the reed bed, maybe 1/8" off the reed bed.
I did it a few times without forcing the feeler gauge. Put it back together and tried the Minor 3rd bend again and.........Squeeeeek
Arggghhhh oh well :-/ never mind.
I can see myself putting this Harminica to one side and getting a Deluxe to swap out the comb, just in case it was my drilling etc that's the issue ;-)
Thanks Again
Richatd
Hello Richard
Let's try one more thing before relegating your harmonica to the penalty box.
- With a "drop-size" dollop of bees wax and flat tipped toothpick,
- Press the wax into the small gaps--just where the reeds extend off the reed pad
- If you held it up to a light source, you will not see any shine through after this procedure
- Plink the reed to settle
- Re-essemble and play ... ?
Have we also checked the draw reed settings?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Richard,
I am suspicious of the alignment and gapping of the rivet end of blow reed 3. Can you include a close up pic-shot?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya