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From: Pat Missin
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 18:21:48
Subject: Re: Modular Harp Idea

Bill Lifford wrote:
>
>In response to the talk of a modular harp design:
>
>1. I think the first thing to do is throw out the "CX-12" thinking when we
>say "modular". This seems like this would definitely require some tools to
>use an interchangeable reed system.

Well, it takes _some_ tools (at least one screwdriver) to replace the
reedplates on a Lee Oskar. Although you can disassemble the CX-12 with no
tools, to replce the reedplates you still need a screwdriver (or a VERY
strong thumbnail!)

>Farrell's idea of replacing the reed rivets with
>screws is probably the most feasible idea,

.. and the stuff they sell for doing this is excellent, but probably beyond
the skill/patience level of the average harp player. I know a lot of people
who cannot replace the coverplates properly, let alone anything more
involved than this. If it comes to it, I can replace a reed (using a pin
punch and a jewellers hammer and the original rivet) in seconds - but, even
with a lot of practice, replacing a reed with a screws take several
minutes. I had in mind some idea that reduces the tools needed to a minimum
and is about as easy as replacing a reedplate. There are some patents
already covering some approaches to this - in fact I recenty had an
off-list discussion with someone who holds a provisional patent for a
similar idea.

>2. If we start out with diatonic harps (for simplicity), we have one
obstacle
>in the length of the channels in the comb.... aren't they smaller for the
>higher pitched harps? I'm not talking about the difference between the lower
>and higher pitched channels on the same comb, but the difference between an F
>and a G harp, for example.

Actually, Lee Oskars, Hohner HM plastic combs and all Hohner MS combs use
single size of channel for each respective reed. The Hohner HM wooden combs
use two sizes - one for shorter slot plates (usually Db and higher) and
another for long slot plates (usually C and below). So this is not much of
a problem.

>Is this difference something that is really
>necessary?

Well, I'm sure that the current chamber sizes are not optimal, but there
are several reasons for using different chamber sizes. I have messed around
with combs with adjustable chamber volumes and they do have some effect on
the sound and feel of the harp (but not really a major difference).

>3. The modular reed design could just be something as simple as Farrell's
>"replace rivets with screws" idea. With this, though, comes one small
problem
>in that it makes aligning the reed in the reed slot crucial.

Yes - also you uusually have to correct the tuning after replacement as
well. A mini-reedplate with a "correctly" tuned and adjusted reed would
reduce the amount of work needed. Having said that, many players (myself
included) set up all off-the-shelf harps to our own requirements anyway.

>I'm sure that
>tightening the screws tends to rotate the reed off center in the reed slot.
>Perhaps a small centering groove could be machined into the reed plate so
that
>the reed would fit sungly into its own very small recession to alleveiate
>this.

Excellent idea! Of course, then harp-l would be full of complaints that
's recesses are not as accurately machined
as they used to be...!

>4. All in all,

Yes??

-- Pat.