Rattling sound in the lowest holes of Lucky13 Bb
Hi. I have recently bought an Easttop Lucky13 Bb (in Richter tuning).When I draw or blow through one of the first two holes, there is a rattling sound. It's especially noticeable when the note stops sounding. I removed the cover plates to check if it's because of the reeds hitting the cover plates, but the sound is still there. So I would guess that this is the sound of a reed hitting the valve. How do I fix this? A video showing the rattling sound: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H3GAbRbfYAwvtJYlLzyk4HEQ5_6U4QjO/view?u... A photo of the blow reedplate: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GyTorELTWmeagxUdDNCNA9w85kObzW84/view?u... A photo of the draw reedplate: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H2jV3Cr5hVE0lC3H2lpc1or0LUVvEKA6/view?u...
Terrific video and photos. Thank you. They were helpful.
Sage advice from Mr. Marquez!
Inventor Brendan Powers intentially installed valves (windsavers) to the Lucky 13 to optimize the capabilites of this low tuned harmonica. Unlike it's cousin--the Chromatic Harmonica, valves are not required for Diatonic Harmonicas to operate.
If you are handy working with small tools, I would recommend you remove the valves and compare the performance and tone to the original. Replacement valves and adhesive are not expensive; therefore, if you decided you liked the Lucky 13 with valves, you can restore them.
Although not specific to the Lucky 13 harmonica, here are some useful tips and techniques:
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/installing_new_windsavers_hohner_cx12_chr...
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/tip_week_valved_harmonicas
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/chromatic_3_draw_rattles_chromatic_mainte...
Your HARPSMITH, Kinya
Thank you for your advice, Kinya. I had decided that my Bb Lucky 13 is just unplayable and it's been gathering dust on the shelf. So I will try your suggestion to remove the windsavers since it can't make things worse :)
One more question. If I do decide to install new windsavers, where can I buy them?
In USA, I would recommend Rockin' Ron's for your HOHNER and Seydel valves/windsavers and adhesive.
https://rockinronsmusic.com/collections/harmonica-valves
Your HARPSMITH, Kinya
Checking in... were you able to perform the procedure on your Lucky 13 harmonica?
Your HARPSMITH, Kinya
Just my two cents.
It's a faint sound and not much noticeable if you ask me. It could be the valve is stuck (so cleaning it would help you get rid of the sound) or just the regular response of the valve (the bigger the valve the more material which moves). Honestly i wouldn't worry too much about it unless you can really hear it constantly. Valves harmonica have these noises which are more in the players mind than really audible by the audience.
If you want to try cleaning the valve: Winslow has various posts on the Chromatic forum on how to clean valves using brown bag paper etc, but if you do that be very careful to follow the instructions if your have never done it before, or else you risk bending the valve and that will make the noises much worse and the harp leaky and less responsive.
To prevent sticky valves, try rinsing your mouth and/or cleaning your teeth before playing. Stuck food or drinks in your saliva will make the valves sticky and more prone to this.