New reed plates 3 draw problem
I got a suzuki blues master harp and I just changed the reed plates with the promaster plates Bb. When i tried it it played great except for the 3 draw bends, very leaky and airy sound even the 3 draw natural when used a aggressive attack would stall. Would adjusting the blow reed help with the air leak on the bends? Thanks
Ok I'll work on it and let you know how it turns out.
I work on that reed slot sizing to Lee Oskar D-harp and when slowly bending 3 draw it makes that Wheezing sound.
At start of the bending it works ok.
Any advice? Thanks
jk
Hello Juha
Thank you for your question.
Yes, you are not alone. Many players have reported the same issue with their Tombo/Lee Oskar diatonic harmonicas.
Here are a couple of proven solutions:
[1] apply onto the top of the screeching reed (at the "rivet" end of the reed), a small piece of 3m Micro Pore (medical tape)
[2] apply bees wax or nail polish into the Zero Point cavities (refer to Harp Tech series #6 for Zero Point explanation)
Let us know how this works out for you.
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya
So I closed the gap on the blow reed, and that helped some its more playable now. When i get more time i'll mess around with it some more. Thanks
Awesome Brian!
Your Harpsmith
Kinya
Hi Harpsmith and thanks!
I finally got that nail polish and It works.
Your apprentice,
jk
Nice work JUHA!
Your Harpsmith
Kinya
Hi Brian
Good to hear from you.
I am sort of glad you are having this problem, because once you learn how to trouble shoot this breakdown--it will be child's play for you in the future (and it WILL occur again ;o)
Q: When i tried it it played great except for the 3 draw bends, very leaky and airy sound even the 3 draw natural when used a aggressive attack would stall. Would adjusting the blow reed help with the air leak on the bends?
A: "Airy" and "stalling" in the same sentence sounds almost contradictory to me. When I hear airy, the cause is almost too much gapping. When I hear stall, I'm envisioning not enough gapping. (refer to Harp Tech Study 4-Reed Gapping).
PROCESS:
[1] Site the reed from a side view ... is the reed slope too severe--relative to the other reeds? If so, excessive air will rush through the reed and reed plate. Imagine driving down the road with the window all the way down, compared to just cracking the window open.
[2] If the slope is too extreme, remove the reed plate from the comb and position the fixed end of the #3 reed between your thumb and index finger (you should feel the reed pad centered under your thumb). Keep an eye on the free end of the reed, then begin squeezing your thumb and index finger together. The free end of the reed will drop. Plink the reed to "settle" the reed into it's new position. The gap should be about .005"
[3] Repeat step 2 with your blow reed. The gap here will be around .007"
[4] Assemble and play the harmonica ... repeat steps 2 & 3 as necessary.
Be mindful to torque the reed plate screws evenly. If not, leakage can occur as a result.
Let us know how things turn out.
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya