Marine Band 1896 Cover Plates: How to roll the back folds for beauty and brawn.

In response to the subsribers interest in upgrading their Hohner Marine Band 1896 cover plates, I assembled a pictorial “how to” article. After the modifications, you will find your Marine Band 1896 harmonica to be more crush resistance, louder, and arguably gorgeous.

STUFF

• Vice Grip #8R Locking Sheet Metal tool

• Blue Painter’s tape

• 22oz Urethane Hammer

• 3/16” Diameter steel rod (pin)

• Self healing PVC cutting board

Place metal rod (pin) on the inside of the cover plate fold

To prevent the rod from shifting, secure it with tape

Using the 22oz urethane hammer, “impact roll” (inward) the fold of the cover plate over the top of the rod

Work your way all the way down to the end. 

Clamp the Vise Grip onto the back crest of the cover plate

Notice how I adhered a layer of leatherette contact material onto the inside surfaces of the jaws. This will protect the cover plates from being scratched (you can also apply Blue Painters’ Tape directly onto the cover plates and achieve the same result).

While holding the Vise Grip tool steady with your right hand, hook your left fingers underneath of the leading edge of the cover plate, and draw it towards you. This will set the gradient (angle) of the back crest of the cover plate opening.

 Remove blue painter’s tape and pull the rod (pin) out.

Inspect your work

Stock cover plate compared to modified cover plate.

Reattach the cover plates. The "return" on the back cover plate folds will add strength (mitigating the "crush factor"), and open up the back of the Marine Band harmonica for greater sound projection.

Now go on, and take this baby out for some fun. It would be a crime not to show it off ;o)

Your Harpsmith, Kinya