Brendan Power & Alternative Harmonicas Forum

I'm still at it! Have ordered all kinds of materials to try on their own, or laminated together. Been talking to my engineer friend Zombor Kovacs about valves too - he's done extensive study of this vexing topic for his brilliant ExtraBend harp. He finally concluded, like all the manufacturers, that...

Of course I would say this, but I think you'll like the Lucky 13 version. The bends are easy and it's half-valved all the way. And quite a bit less expensive

Thanks vesuviation and others here for your comments. The diatonic Gasket-Valves were originally tested with a slightly different material to the one currently used - I wonder if that could be a contributing factor. I have the new material in my Lucky 13 harps and it's working well, but I'll do anot...

Of course, as ideas come along, I'm constantly testing other valve options too... Here's a more conventional shape using Walley Peterson's Mylar/Micropore laminate: IMG_20201205_121438_compress99.jpg I've used it before but found it wasn't entirely predictable over time, sometimes leading to valves ...

I tried it recently for my Gasket-Valves, but the stuff I have is rather shop-worn and a bit crinkled, so not all valves laid flat. I've ordered a new batch, will report back soon. The best single-material valve solution for both sitting and hanging valves I've found so far is textured polypropylene...

Over the past few days I've spent a lot of time experimenting with valve materials and shapes. Mostly in relation to my multi-valve Gasket-Valves for chromatic harps, but the principles apply to single valves also. Most harmonica and accordion valves are made of two parts: the flexible valve itself ...

Thanks for the recordings. I couldn't hear any issue on Valves 3, but could hear a slight buzz on Valves 2. Would you mind giving the key of the harp, plus what holes and breath direction the notes were?

Can you attach a short recording?

Hi John, The valves are deliberately cut flush or slightly back from the ends of the slots. The idea is to minimise the surface area of the valve hitting the reedplate, to reduce noise as well as the possibility of sticking with moisture from your breath. The valves are also tapered, for the same re...

It should hold I think.