"Too Much of a Good Thing" TIP OF THE WEEK 7.29.13

Hello Harp Techs
When Sizing (embossing) reed plate slots, there will be times when our enthusiasm gets the best of us... or maybe we become impatient, and forget to use the "Jeweler's touch" when working on our harmonicas. Either way, when we "push" too much brass into the slot, the reed will catch, rendering the reed unplayable.

I spent time on the bench this last weekend and discovered a reliable technique to get us out of that mess.

{Refer back to the 3.2.13 Tip of the Week, where I shared the "Superstone" files with the members. The Superstone resembles a colorized coffee swizzle stick}

TAKEN IT TO THE BENCH:
(1) With a light box (any light source), site your reed through the reed side of the reed plate and locate the side of the reed plate that is touching the reed.

(2) Using your reed wrench, see if you can pivot the reed away from the burr. If this does not work, then

(3) With the reed side of the plate facing the bench (blank side facing upwards) insert the tip of the RED or BLUE Superstone into the problem slot. Insert the flat face of the Superstone flat against the depth of the slot, and align it to the back corner (rivet end) of the reed slot. The top side of Superstone "gently" rests on the backside of the reed.

(4) While pressing the Superstone against the wall of the reed plate slot, carefully slide the Superstone towards the front of the reed plate slot, than back again.

(5) Remove the Superstone, then plink the reed to test for clearance. If the clicking stopped, you are done! If not, try another pass of the Superstone.

Your Harpsmith,
Kinya