Zero point with tight reeds

Hello LFS, good to hear from you.

Try this:

1. Place your left thumb over the free end of the reed to prevent it from "popping" up too much,
2. Holding the shim stock (feeler gauge) between your right index finger/thumb, and flat inbetween the bottom of the reed, and top of the reed plate; push the shim "convincingly" towards the back of the reed slot ... keep pushing until the shim makes contact with the reed's rivet pad, 
3. Remove the shim, then plink the reed a few times to "settle" the reed into it's new position.
4. Remember, .002" is not very much, so it would be wise to reassemble the harmonica and test with breath ... still too tight, repeat process.

Another strategy, replace the .002: shim stock with:

• Your Lee Oskar, Hohner, Seydel reed plinking/hook tool,
• Similar to the shim technique--and completely flat to the reed plate, wedge the flat edge of the tool (I buffed my tool to a knife edge) towards the back and watch the reed angle climb upward.
• CAUTION: this tool is significantly stronger than the shim stock, so use your "jewlers" touch to avoid creating too large a gap!

Let us know how this works for you.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

AWESOME!