From: WVE~ol.com Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 16:50:32 EDT Subject: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Re:=20Reed=20design,=20was=20Chromatic=5FRattle=5F?= =?ISO-8859-1?Q?&=5FH=20ohner=B4s=5F? In a message dated 8/28/99 9:49:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time, TGShort writes:
<< Subj: Re: Reed design, was Chromatic_Rattle_&_H ohner´s_ Date: 8/28/99 9:49:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time From: TGShort To: WVERN
> Hey I just joined harp l and I am glad to see that I am not the only one kicking >around the idea of a better made better designed harp.
Before you get too far, check the work of harp-l correspondents Douglas Tate/Bobbie Giardano and Siegfried Naruhn who make custom chromatics. Bill Romel of Las Vegas and F&R Farrell also make custom chromatics. Among these four, you can find a wide variety of harp materials and geometries. Harp-l owner Mike Polesky owns one of each of the above custom harps and is in a position to make comparisons. Your design may be unique, but unless you see what the above folks have done, you could possibly re-invent the wheel.
Diatonics having combs of brass, aluminum and titanium are available.
> I have often wondered if stainless would be a better alternative to brass as a >material for reeds. I am sure it would last much longer.
Although I have not tested any reeds to failure under controlled conditions, the literature indicates that various stainless steels have better fatigue life than copper alloys. I have made and used a few SS reeds.
>I don't have access >to a cnc mill though like yourself
My only CNC mill is a home-made gadget dedicated only to cutting reeds.
> ....my first one will be much more air tight design that I >came up with.It will >incorporate > >other manufacturers parts with my comb and >cover plates. I will let >you all know >when its finished. >I would love to start a shop to >customize them that had all harp >player/craftsmen doing the work. >>
I made a mold to make polyurethane plastic combs to replace wooden 270 combs. They fit well and are stable but did not change the tone of the harp. I figured that if I was going to machine something one time, making a mold would be more efficient than making a comb.
