Suziki manji M-20 single reed replacement posibility
Hello Kinya,
I have recently worn off one of the reeds of my favorite Suzuki Manji M-20 Low D harp. I really don't feel like throwing it in my "shue box" because of it but it starts to seem more and more likely I might have to do that. Before that however I woukd like to check if it is possible to bring back some life into it.
First I would like to ask you is if you have experience with swapping the reeds on those? As I understand the manjis unlike the hohners are not riveted so deriveting technicues will not work on removing them, but maybe you could recommend another method?
The second question would be if you are aware of any way to actualy order single reeds for those harps?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks but that does not do me much good. It's like break a guitar srring and have to replace half the guitar's boddy. That's not really the solution I am looking for.
Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollardhttps://www.bluesharmonica.com/how_replace_manji_welded_reeds
Evets, Thanx for finding the link. Here is an alternative method that works exceptionally well!
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/option_2_attaching_manji_reeds
I will contact my North American Suzuki source for individual reed availability and get back to you...
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Thank you so much for that! Amazing posts!
Unfortunately I am in Spain.
Would you know of vendors in Europe that could supply those individual reeds?
Hello Angel, the only distributor listed as a Suzuki distributor in Spain would be:
https://www.enriquekeller.com/
Good luck Angel and stay in touch
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Thanks Kinya,
I tried that guy.Was not at all helpfull. I had to finaly write to suzuki themselves who on their turn will ship the reeds i need to a vendor in UK who will in teir turn ship them to me in a months time....i guess it could be faster but then the reeds may cost more than a new harp and that will dimminish the whole purpose.
In comparison to the way more accessible method of ordering individual hohner reeds that seems like a nightmare because I will get those suzuki reeds in a month or more.
Imagine I break another reed...than another month or more :D...
As much as I enjoy playing that suzuki I purchased a hohner rocket low and will probably stick to those.
Much easier to self service :).
Hi Angel. You bring up a very valid point for our International members. To mitigate shipping costs, think about building your harmonica set (which may or may not be your favorite brand), based upon available near-by (normal shipping) harmonica distributors.
Other strategies would be to "invest" (think long term) into:
- two harmonicas of all your most played keys, or
- invest into one of your favorite key harmonicas-and if your chosen harmonica company makes replacement reed plates available, then at the same time, add replacement "reed plates" to your order
By the way, exactly what reed on your Low D Manji is faulty?
Give me your shoebox inventory of ALL your Diatonic harmonicas. List by Make/Model/Key
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Kinya,
I dont really have a shuebox with harps cos every time i break a reed I replace it (with the great help of your tutorials).
So far I have dealed only with hohners.
I own only 2 manjis, cos I was experimenting at the beginning, but I really grew fund of the low d (because of rice miller tunes) so i played it almost every day for over a year now.
Finally you would not guess which reed gave up first: the 1 draw!! :D
So at this point my only option would be to buy a new reed or a new harp.
Since I would like to continue playing my favorite tunes. I chose buying a new harp while I wait for the new reeds to arrive one day.
I am not even sure I will manage to exchange the reed cos I dont own a suzuki reed wrench and I am not sure I feel like investiong in one just for changing that reed on that harp. Moreover I did not find anywhere to buy just the reed wrench in europe. All the offer is a full reed replacement set and you know how much that costs.
I was thinking in attempting to remove/ the old reed and set the new one by using a regullar tool like a set of plyers or smth.
Would you have a suggestion of a "cheap" alternative to the suzuki reed wrench I could use to replace that one reed?
I saw andrew zajac was offering an alternative, but again...shipping costs...
Thanks in advance!
Hi Angel, reed wrenches are relatively easy to make with scrap metal. I built my first wrench by cutting up an old reed plate. With basic tools, such as, file and hacksaw (or if you do have a rotary tool with a cutting wheel), you can notch out the piece of scrap metal to match the size of your reed base.
If this not possible, a small "adjustable wrench" also known as a Crescent wrench--held vertically with the tip of the jaws grabbing the reed base. Small flat nose pliers will also work. All it takes is a little twist to break the spot weld.
You mentioned your D reed broke on the 1 draw. I believe you meant, the E reed on the 1 draw broke? I don't own a Manji Low D, so I cannot measure the dimensions of the reeds. If you own a G Hohner harmonica, check the dimensions of the 3 draw reed and see if it matches the Manji 1 draw. The pitch will be F#, but it is easy to tune down to the desired E pitch.
Let me know!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Many thanks Kinya!
Just to clarify: that ":D" was supposed to be a smiley face (A big smile).
Ah so!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Sorry if I'm stepping on Kinya's toes, but...
RockinRonsMusic has harmonica parts in stock - reed plates only, no individual reeds.
https://rockinronsmusicsd.com/harmonica-parts/reed-plates/suzuki-reed-pl...