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New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:18 am
by Brendan
Here's a video to accompany an upcoming article in the UK Harmonica World magazine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQP6tZRXbTU

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:01 pm
by triona
My first thought after I had heard your first words to describe the issue:
To lower the base of each reed by engraving a little notch into the reedplate under each reed to countersink it to the surface of the reedplate. But this were not less work and hazzle than bending and reshaping each reed. An it would not only require dismounting and remounting each reed. It also would require a big effort to get the notches sufficiently flat and parallel to give the reed a proper new fit. Eventually even more than less issues than the former method anyway. :?

In contrast your idea of elevating the edges of the reedplate to the niveau of the reeds is ingeniuosly simple and effective. I think I will try it at once. Maybe it works with simple standard nailpolish out of the bottle and spread by brush as well for a first try?

And one more question about the chemical quality of the nailpolish you recommended: Is it soluble in nailpolish remover as well as usual nailpolish? So that it could be removed or corrected afterwards easily and without hazard of damage to reeds or reedplates if necessary?


dear greetings
triona

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:13 pm
by CrawfordEs
Nice simple Idea. I love it.
Time to look for a nail art pen!
I bet it would work well as valve glue too.

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:38 pm
by triona
And if it should not work with the harmonica like expected, it can be used eventually for painting the nails anyway. :mrgreen:


dear greetings
triona

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2019 12:28 pm
by Alan
This is definitely worth a try. Did you try using it along the entire edge of the reed plate vs just 1/3 + embossing?

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:26 pm
by Brendan
For the lower 2/3 of the reed you should do standard embossing. It's not possible to use the nail art pen further down as the reed is flexible; it will slide underneath the tip of the tool. Anyway embossing the lower 2/3 in the conventional way is easy and effective, so there is no need to do anything different.

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 3:14 am
by pakocheung
Hi,

I like this idea too.

I have a question is that what is the cutting tool and where to get it.


Best regards

Cheung

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:11 am
by Brendan
You can get these thin pieces of shim from the magnetic security tags used by shops to prevent theft. Open the plastic casing and you will find one inside.

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:40 pm
by pakocheung
Hi Brendon,

Is something like the attached photo?


security tag.jpg
security tag.jpg (41.3 KiB) Viewed 11485 times

Re: New Tool and Method for Improving Harmonica Reed Response

Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2020 1:50 am
by CrawfordEs
Nope
The little white rectangular strips stuck on small items and boxes.
Maybe 0.75 Cm x 2 Cm