Re: Harmonica reed arcing 101

Thanking Dave Payne (Elk River Harmonicas) for his instruction on harp repair etc. and asking how to seal a wooden harp comb.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Blues
• harmonica
• repair
• and
• customising

[N62KNM]

On the subject of your deleting the videos. What a shame! I had watched the one of you and Jason Ricci, what else did you lose? I hope none of the ones concerning working on harps.

You do realise that if you are aged over 25 it is the norm to screw up with computers. If you didn't you would be classed as a nerd.

[N62KNM]

It's the way you explain things that is genius. I had heard, over the years, people speak about reed arcing and wondered what they were on about but all it took an emery board and a piece of wood. Genius, see what I mean.

Reed arcing has added a new dimension to the way the harps I rebuild play. The high note blow bends now work as easily as on my Suzuki

350v's. I'm guessing on how to set up the blow reeds so please let that be your next video.

[N62KNM]

Youtube is staggering. Where else could you pose a question from the U.K. and in minutes you have replies from thousands of miles away.

Jim (Tryharp) Australia and Dave Payne, the harmonica genius from the U.S.A.

[N62KNM]

I listened to the video again and I think maybe you're right and I didn't get quite to the overblow stage. I've just taken the covers off again and it does go to overblow very easily. I can feel the 7 draw vibrate on my bottom lip. I'm now going to take off the blow plate and have a look at how the 7 blow is gapped. No one has ever said that the blow gap is important with regard to overblows.

Maybe a good subject for your next video?

Thanks for the advice on the MB, I'll let you know how it goes

[fedearmonica]

quita esta mierda de youtube. Perdida de tiempo con los gilipollas estos...

[elkriverharmonicas]

Genius, I'm touched, I was thinking more like jackass, since I accidently deleted 25 of my videos... I'm hoping someone downloaded the video of Jason Ricci and me. I lost that one too.

[elkriverharmonicas]

On the varnish, you should be OK if you get several coats of sealant over it.

[elkriverharmonicas]

Continued from the post immediately below (read second post first I ran out of room)

Just get the comb flat, and use some toothpicks (as in the Wood Secrets revealed video) so the nails hold tight. One trick to make it even tighter... after you seal the comb, let it dry, then wipe on a thin coat of sealant and let it dry until it is tacky. Then, put the reedplates on, just be careful no sealant gets on the reeds.

[elkriverharmonicas]

On the Marine Band, your idea for sanding it flat is right on. That should fix the problem that makes it so leaky.

I was using Salad bowl finish in the video, I'm using butcher's block oil now. Some viewer said they, despite my advice, dipped the entire comb into the finish, instead of brushing it on and it worked. I tried it, and it was much easier for me, too. I dip it, then wipe away the excess.

The Marine Band will be very tight with nails. My tighest harps are all nailed. Just get the

[elkriverharmonicas]

Hey Pete, thanks for making my day. On the 7 and 8 holes, those actually sounded like blow bends to me. If you draw the six, then draw bend and blow while keeping that draw bend embouchure, you'll eventually get an overblow.

The blow reed set up is important for the overblow, because for the overblow to sound, the blow reed has to stop.