reed waxing
Hi Kinya I have been experimenting with reed waxing. I have experiment with two MS big river harps. So that I don't mess up my Golden Melody Harps. I have experimented with orthodontic wax and bees wax with mineral oil. And I have watched Richard sleigh videos.
With the orthodontic wax I noticed that it really didn't take out the squeal when doing the over blow. So I don't know if the reason the squeal didn't come out is if because I didn't use enough wax. But the good thing is none of my reeds dint stick. But I got a nice mint taste from the orthodontic wax.
Now with the bees wax with the mineral oil I made up. The blow reeds worked fine. But the draw reeds some of them seemed to stick. And the reeds that seem to stick are from 6 draw to 10 draw. And my 2 and 3 draw bends seem harder to bend. But good thing is no squeal on any over blows. And I have some questions about reed waxing.
- I have a heating pad under my harps to heat them up before playing. Is there any chance the heat from the heating pad will melt the wax on the harp?
- Will the ultra sonic cleaner mess up the wax? And would I have to re-wax the harp after giving the harp a bath?
- How often do you generally have to re-wax a harp?
- How do I keep the reeds from sticking after applying the waxs. Because when I flicked the reeds they seemed liked they responded ok.
And any other suggestion you can give me will be great.
Hello JF, wow--you have been busy!
Q1: I have a heating pad under my harps to heat them up before playing. Is there any chance the heat from the heating pad will melt the wax on the harp?
A1: If left to bake too long--Yes
Q2: Will the ultra sonic cleaner mess up the wax? And would I have to re-wax the harp after giving the harp a bath?
A2: Yes and Yes
Q3: How often do you generally have to re-wax a harp?
A3: I wax so infrequently, I'm afraid I can not comment with certainty. My sense; however, is that when you struggle to hit the perfect notes--you lost the seal. Time to re-wax.
Q4: How do I keep the reeds from sticking after applying the waxs. Because when I flicked the reeds they seemed liked they responded ok.
A4: Apply less wax
Your Harpsmith, Kinya