Wind saver on a chromatic
I have a windsaver on the upper register that is not seating properly. What can I do? It looks like it has a crease in it.
If it has to be replaced can I do it or do I have to send it to the SUZUKI factory.
Thanks
I assume I will have to recurl. It leaks. What is the recurl procedure and what kind of glue do I use. I just ordered your book Harmonicas for Dummies. I love your detailed explanations and simplicity. Its a keeper. First experience with a chromatic so you are corresponding with a dummy.
Thanks.
Chuck
You can make a ribon or a strip of paper, a windaver, or even a brass reed, curi in a specific direction by stroking its surface along its length with the edge of a blade.
For instance, if you place the blade against the underside of a ribbon at a right angle to its length, and then stroke from one end to the other, you will induce the ribbon to curl downwards. Do it against the top surface and ti will curl upward.
You can do the same wth a windsaver.
HOWEVER. While you may wish to curl a ribbon into pretty ringlets to festoon balloons and presents, you want to get a windsaver to uncurl and lie flat, so you have to be less aggressive than you might be with a ribbon.
iF the valve is curling upward, you need to stroke the underside. If the valve is already detached, lay it downside up on a flat surface and stroke gently, testing frequently for the result.
If the valve is curling upward and dtill attached, you can insert a straightened paper clip uner the valve and run it under the area you want to straighten. Running it outward toward the free end, applying finger pressure from above to press the valve against the edge of the paper clip.
For glue, I often use Duco cement.
First off, does the note play properly, without buzzing and with the full (not airy) tone that you expect?
If it plays OK, leave it alone.
If it buzzes or leaks, you can try carefully to remove the crease or kink. You can also re-curl a valve.
If the valve comes loose, you can glue it back on. Just be careful not to use too much glue and smear it into the reed slot.
If you have to replace the valve, you can get valves from several sources. Suzuki USA does maintain a repair facility in the San Diego area, but this is something you can do yourself.
You may be able to get valves from Suzuki by calling 1-800-854-1594.
You can also get valves from:
Hohner: http://www.hohnershop.com/high-end-reed-valves-for-chromatic-harmonicas/
Seydel: http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel1847.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/S... Romel (self-sticking valves) http://www.harmonica-workshop.com
from Betty Romel (self-sticking valves) http://www.harmonica-workshop.com
and from Danny G at newharmonica.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So1HWuIyU6E&list=TLCj6vU8_p_ODbeFacQOI3RpGjeV8eV7Ts
For more on valves in general, check out this old harmonicasessions.com article: http://archive.harmonicasessions.com/jun10/Yerxa.html