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From: Douglas Tate
Date: Mon, 2 Sep 1996 18:40:32 +0100
Subject: reeds

Mic'l writes
>Question for Vern or any of the craftspeople among us. How much would
>it cost to make a reed set with stainless steel reeds, or titanium, or
>some material that would keep going and going and going. . .
>
>Mic'

Vern has given a comprehensive answer to this, but there is another side.

I have said ad nauseam that my twin set of plates on an SS body have lasted
nearly 30 years of playing.

I have said in the past that I polished them and 'that ' was one of the
reasons for long life. I am more inclined to change that view now. I think
it was fjm who said a few days ago that his reeds faile about a third of the
way along irrespective of pitch. That would point away from scratching and
tuning marks (the intellectually obvious points!) If what fjm says has
validity, and he usually is very accurate, then there must be another
mechanism at work. The only other factor in my playing which is different
from the majority of players is how I attack the notes and how I get high
volume without busting things.
If this is the case then possibly there is not a need on a normal instrument
for fancy SS reeds, or titanium, just a quick lesson in how to blow 'properly'

The interesting thing about my pupils is that they stop buying harmonicas
and start playing them, a much more rewarding occupation (if they don't have
to buy harps, they can afford my higher tuition fees!!)

Douglas T