Slightly muted sound on 3 blow, Hohner Blues harp in Key of G
Hello Kinya,
The title pretty much sums it up. I just bought a set of Hohner blues harps and the 3-blow of the G harp is producing a slightly more muted sound. I looked into the reed plate but couldn't find anything stuck in there. Any suggestions about what to do? I live in Bogotá, Colombia so there aren't many harp techs around.
Thanks!
Andrew
One more thing Andrew, can you please record/post the "muted" sound you are experiencing so that we all can hear.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello and Happy New Year!
I haven't seen the harp tech series but I'll take a look ASAP. I compared the 3 blow of the Bules Harp to the 3 blow on my Marine Band in G and a Blues Band in A, which confirmed, to me anyways, that the 3 blow on the G Blues Harp was slightly more muted.
I'm traveling at the moment for the new year and I didn't bring the muted blues harp with me but I'll be back in a couple of days and as soon as I can I'll record that 3 blow and send it to you here.
Again, thank you very much for your help,
Andrew
OK Andrew. When you do get an opportunity to view the Harp Tech Series, I recommend you start with #3 "Gapping"
Happy New Year, Kinya
Will do! Harpy New Year! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)
We will let it pass--this time ;o)
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello Kinya,
Im going to post the recording of the muted 3 blow.
Could you tell me where I post the file? I don't see an option to attach files.
Thanks a ton!
Andrew
Hi Andrew, I apologize but our site is not user friendly with photos and sound files. If you are savvy with youtube, you can publish it there, then provide us with the link. If that too is a bit too much, try this:
- Remove the cover plates from your harmonica
- With the reed plates still attached to the comb, have the BLOW reed plate facing towards the ceiling (hint: this is the side of the harmononica where the reeds and rivet heads are not exposed like those on the draw reed plate)
- Counting from the left, locate slot #3
- With a wooden toothpick placed onto the tip of the free end of the reed, carefully push the reed into the slot approximately 3/16" then retract. Do this "bobbing" up/down about ten times.
- Next, return the cover plates and hold in place by pinching the cover plate end tabs onto the harmonica, or bolt the cover plates back in place
- Play the #3 blow reed and listen for any improvements
- If this does not remedy the muting issue, repeat the above steps, however, this time reposition the toothpick from the tip of the reed to the middle of reed (halfway between the free end and the rivet.
Please report back to us!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello Kinya,
Thanks! I'm gonna try fixing it myself by following your steps above. I'll also see about posting a video to YouTube, maybe of the entire process, from broken to fixed so as to illustrate the process you wrote out.
Thanks and hopefully you'll soon be able to see how it's turned out,
Andrew
Hey there Kinya!
Update: I followed your instructions and my G harp, 3 blow is back to playing normally!
I wasn't able to film it but it was, for me, an interesting first foray into disassembling a harp and seeing whats under the cover plates.
Thanks for the help!!
Andrew
Congratulations Andrew. As your confidence grows, try out the different strategies demonstrated on our Harp Tech Study videos.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Happy New Year Andrew, it's good to hear from you. So that I can provide you with my best response, I have two questions for you:
Your Harpsmith, Kinya