tuning table reed scraper
Hi Kinya,
I'm intrigued by the tuning table product, but I tune my reeds using sanding wands from micro mark. The tuning table website references Richard Sleigh's website to buy a scraper, but the kit is $55. Can you recommend a cheaper alternative?
Also, any advise to someone who has always used sanding wands and wants to give scrapers a try?
Thanks, Pete
thanks for all that info Joe. I learned my tuning on my own, here and there, and always like to improve my knowledge. It's not really something I love to do, but it saves alot of money. I'm always looking for ways to make it quicker and easier. It sounds like a scraper might save alot of time and hassle.
thanks
Hello JW,
As usual, Joe's contributing insights are always helpful. Thanx.
I'm with you JW, I don't particularly enjoy tuning either. That will soon change, however, with things I have in the works--shh, our little secret ;o)
Until then, I categorize tuning into two categories: (1) Rough & Ready--typically the harmonica is assembled and (2) Surgical--the reed plates have been removed from the comb. In the upcoming www.bluesharmonica.com "Harp-Tech" series that David is producing, I demonstrate both strategies.
Strategy One can be accomplished with the "off the shelf" tool kits that are available (Lee Osker, Seydel, Hering, Hohner, etc.). Strategy Two introduces specialty tools, such as the Richard Sleigh draw scraper, reed support/plinking tools, MicroMark Engraver w/diamond tip bit, etc.
In the meantime, check out past issues of www.HarmonicaSessions.com | Monster Harmonica Workbench for recommendation on tuning tools and techniques. See what appeals to you:
December 2003 | "Stop Those Dogs from Howling!"
February 2004 | "Stop Those Dogs from Barking! Part 2"
December 2007 | "Dremels, Chisels and Files - Oh My!"
August 2009 | "Custom Tools from a Customizer"
August 2010 | "My Next Favorite Tool"
Last thoughts of wisdom, never skimp on quality shoes, socks, underwear and harmonica tools!
"Play the notes people want to hear" © 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
I love my Richard Sleigh scraper, it's worth every penny. Using a sanding wand is fine for raising pitch, but has a few drawbacks when lowering pitch.
1) There's a high risk of altering your gapping and reed curvatures by using a sandpaper tool along the length of the reed, even when supporting the reed with a slip of paper or feeler. The super-sharp scraper removes material without messing anything else up.
2) The oxidation that naturally occurs on brass contributes to the mass and stiffness of the reed, affecting pitch. After sanding a reed to lower pitch, the oxidation process has to start over, and the reed you just tuned might not stay at the exact pitch you dialed in. If you worked really hard at getting an exact justly-intoned chord, you'd like it to stay there.
The scraper minimizes this phenomenon when used like Richard explains.
3) Scraper- minimal mess, give it a quick puff/tap and the removed material falls away. Sandpaper leaves gritty stuff that sticks in the slots, potentially causing problems.
4) The scraper can be used to tune blow reeds down in pitch, without removal from the comb, with the least risk of altering gapping.
Joe Spiers