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From: WVE~ol.com
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 1996 01:27:35 -0400
Subject: Re: Reed Tuning & Fatigue

In a message dated 96-09-02 23:00:51 EDT, you write:

>Subj: Reed Tuning & Fatigue
>Date: 96-09-02 23:00:51 EDT
>From: bassha~arthlink.net (Danny Wilson)


>Who is not aware that NO manufacturer stamps out specific reeds for every
>given reed size/tuning for every harmonica, in every key that they
>manufacture?
>
>This would mean a total of 240 reed sizes/pitches for a complete set of
>12 keyed harps, not to mention those needed for additional keys, i.e. low
>F, low E, low D, high G, high A, and whatever other keys available from
>various manufacturers, IN ADDITION to special tunings, such as natural
>minor, SBS, harmonic minor, etc., etc.

In support of your statement, it appears to me that in a Hohner 270, all of
the four reeds of each hole are identical up to the point of manufacture
where they are hand tuned. Then they are tuned to spread their pitches out
over a range of as much as a minor third..e.g C,C#,D,D#.

The size and shape of reeds and the shape of comb cavities certainly can
affect tone because these properties affect the airflow through the reed.

If tuning to lower pitch is very carefully done with the excavation where
material is removed spread out along the reed in a nice taper and the reed is
polished, then there is no reason why tuning should affect fatigue life.
However, that's not the way they do it and the visible gouges seem likely to
create zones of stress concentration.

Tuning to raise pitch most likely doesn't affect fatigue life because there
is hardly any stress at the tip of the reed where the material is removed.

Vern