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How can I safely rotate reed without a reed wrench?

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Fri, 05/05/2023 - 02:49
gamma8gear
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I just recieved a new hohner marine band deluxe and im getting a rattling noise from the 2 draw. Maybe its the reed is not aligned up with the hole. I maybe see less space on one side of the reed than the other when holding it up to the light. How can I safly rotate the reed without a reed wrench?

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Fri, 05/05/2023 - 17:44
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
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When reed wrenches are not available

Hello Gamma, before the invention of the reed wrench the Techs at HOHNER would use .001" shim stock (feeler guage) and slip them into the space between the reed and reed plate slot.

Similar to using a crowbar, the Tech will push the reed--into the correct direction. Pretty nifty trick that I still use on occasion.

TIP

  1. Disasemble the reed plates from the comb and hold up your reed plate to the light. Your goal is to align the reed so that the sliver of light peering through the sides and top of the reed are similar. 
  2. Many times "flossing" the gaps along the sides of the reeds is enough to clear away debris and metal burrs. To do this, insert your .001" shim into the gap then slide it the full length of the reed. 
  3. Similar to step #2, except rather than forward/back movement, "shoe shine" the reed by moving the shim up/down

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

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Sat, 05/06/2023 - 01:06
#2
gamma8gear
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Thank you! Funny thing is I

Thank you! Funny thing is I think I might have my feeler gauge from when I was a QC tech. I will try it out. Thank you.

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Sat, 05/06/2023 - 07:03
#3
Harp Tech Kinya...
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QC Tech--ehh? You have the

QC Tech--ehh? You have the core skills to work on dinky little harmonica parts ;o)

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

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