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From: Pat Missin
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 01:03:56
Subject: Re: leak fix by reed plate bending

Bobbie Giordano wrote:
>
>As we've
>found with the Renaissance, this is generally not a good idea, and that a
>flat plate and a flat comb with pressure points well-distributed generally
>achieves the best results.

The trouble is, whilst it is fairly straightforward to get the comb flat,
getting the reedplates flat is another matter. When the reeds are riveted
into place, there is a tendency for the reedplates to become slightly
deformed as a result. You can cure this by taking out all of the reeds,
polishing the plates perfectly flat (not the easiest job in the world, in
itself) and then reattaching the reeds using screws. This is quite a lot of
work compared with adding a gasket and/or curving the reedplates.

Also, the Renny has the advantage of numerous screws to hold the reedplates
tightly against the comb. A stock Marine Band is an altogether different
beast. I had one where the reedplates were only held at each end where the
covers were fastened, with no nails to hold the plates against the comb. It
had a micropore gasket and a slight curve to the plates and was nicely
airtight.

>> I found that putting an uniform arc on the plates was difficult, and I
>> inadvertantly made a localized bend on the low end of one reed plate.
>
>Yep... it happens! :)

With a bit of practice, it happens less frequently! There have been many
examples posted to harp-l of people's first experiments with harp mods not
being too sucessful. This isn't all that surprising - were any of you able
to play a perfectly pitched, nicely toned bent note at your very first
attempt? Likewise, it takes a while to get the feel of curving the plates
properly.

>As Bluesgeek then reported:
>
>> >What is the best bend profile for the plates? Uniform arc, flat in the
>> >center with arc at the ends, an arc at only one end, or what?
>> >How much bend? It seems like a good way to describe this is in terms of
>> >reed plate end standoff from the comb with the center screw tight.
>> >How do you do the bending?
>>
>> If I remember correctly, Rick Epping only recommends an arc of a couple
>> of millimeters. He also suggested trying to center the arc where the
>> troublesome leak is found.
>
>Although I think a couple of millimeters is still a bit drastic for an arc,

Many of the old Marine Bands I have dissected had a much more pronounced
curve to their reedplates. I also believe Joe Filisko puts quite a curve on
his plates.

>the second tip seems the wisest course of action, partly because reedplates
>AND combs are rarely perfectly flat. RARELY!!! Trust me on this one!!
>And as a result, the leaky areas may be different from one harp to the next.

Definitely. Like with reed gaps, there isn't a "one size fits all" formula.

-- Pat.