From: Douglas Tate <100576.32~ompuserve.com> Date: 12 Jan 96 03:02:55 EST Subject: Airplane wings
I note that Joe mentions using the wings off a 747 for harmonica reeds. ...
Surely, if you had a two octave instrument you wouldn't be able to get it in your mouth. OR, is this the Joe E Brown of yesteryear who, I seem to recall, had a rather large cakehole!
I too think that there are other materials which would make better harp reeds. I do, however, think that the manufacturing process is vitally important. The way some tuners twist the reeds at manufacture time and the original rougness of the surface due to machining positively encourage early demise. My harmonica reeds, doctored when new, were carefully placed in my work harp almost 30 years ago .... must see if they are still in there.
Word of warning. If you do use 747 wings... take the engines off before blowing, it will reduce fatigue stresses in your neck.
