So far this is the best, most practical tutorials, at least for me. Simple, clear and well recorded video. I'm working with this tool now. Arrived from Sweden. Thank you Rick!

Incredible tool! I just ordered one. This should be included with chromatic harmonicas of all brands. Also, I just subscribed to your channel.

this tool is more than excellent! it is extra extra excellent! thanks!

Yeah, these definitely work great. I gotta get hold of Rick and get another one cuz I lost the one he gave me (about ten SPAH conventions ago :o)

Please tell me in harmonica reed plat how to open but with out skurs nils

@stimmrad

Жыл бұрын

Hi Fernando, If your reedplate is held on by nails, you can remove it by carefully prying it up with a sharp knife. Work your way around the reedplate a little at a time, raising rather than lowering the back of the knife so that you don’t damage the outer edges of the wood comb. Be careful not to insert the blade so far that it might damage an inside reed. Support the comb on your workbench while doing this, rather than holding it in your hand, so that you won’t bend or possibly break the comb while removing the reedplate.

Odd question. I am disabled and still fighting for disability. I recently started the harmonica as therapy and a new hobby and absolutely love it. I am wondering if you have and would sell any old junk parts you might have? I'm seriously desperate and am interested in anything you might have to discard or not need anymore. I have acquired an extremely poor condition marine band harmonica that I've managed to get somewhat playing with with all homemade tools soo far. With no income I'm unable to play the best just yet. Thank you for the very helpful videos.

@stimmrad

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your message. I'm sorry, I have no parts to spare. Inexpensive harmonicas such as can be found in toy stores are one way to develop harmonica service techniques without risking damaging expensive harmonicas.

Hi, this is very helpfull. Thank you very much. Do you know where can I get valves for a chromatic harmonica in the US online? I just can't believe can't find any. I'm from Ecuador so I would ask someone to bring them for me. So I want to find an online store that can send the valves to my friend in the US. Hohner's web site ran out of stock for a long time.

@stimmrad

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jonah, Sorry to hear you're having difficulty obtaining valves. Maybe Hohner Germany might help you out? www.hohner-cshop.de/en/Harmonica/Chromatic-Models/Chromonica-Series/Chromonica-270-48/ You might also try sending them an email explaining your problem : info@hohner.de Best regards, Rick

@jonahpaz.

2 жыл бұрын

@@stimmrad Thank you. Your response was helpfull.

I came here searching on the topic of accordion reed valves. I would not have suspected the harmonica valves to have to layers. My initial question, again in regards to accordion reed valves, is if the valves could simply be flipped upside down? (However, with two distinct layers as in the case of harmonica valves, the answer is likely "no".) I just wonder that if it were flipped upside down then the curl would go in the opposite direction.

@stimmrad

Жыл бұрын

Hi Adam, If you have curled accordion reed valves, whether they’re made of all PVC layers, a combination of PVC and Vileda layers, or PVC and leather layers, your best bet may be to remove them from their reedplates, straighten them then replace them. Don’t pull them off as this might stretch or otherwise damage them. Pry them off from the back, as demonstrated in my short video on leather harmonica valves. Even if one didn’t have the issue of the top valve layers being shorter than the bottom, there should never be a convex curl in a valve, where the ends are in contact with the reedplate and the middle is raised. This can cause the valve itself to vibrate, creating an awful buzz. It happens with both harmonica and accordion valves, regardless of the valve material. A slight upward curl is not the worst thing in the world and can sometimes be coaxed down with a few gentle rubs with the finger in the direction from the attached end toward the free end. If your valves are leather with a thin wire “contrapelle” attached on top, you can put a bit of downward curl on the wire using a pair of tweezers, like curling the end of a gift wrapping ribbon. Only curl it enough to make the leather valve lie flat. Too much will make the valve too stiff to open properly. If your valves are single layer leather, they should also not be flipped because the nap side should always be face down on the reedplate to give a good seal. My video shows how to recondition the nap before gluing the valve back down again.

@adamcolbertmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@stimmrad Thank you for this detailed information. I'm not familiar with the term "nap side" but I assume that means there's a smoother side on the bottom for a better seal. When you mentioned the thin wire, that gave me an idea, that maybe a bread bag twist tie could be glued onto the top of the valve 🤔

@stimmrad

Жыл бұрын

Hi Adam, If you’re having a serious problem with your reeds, the best thing might be to bring your accordion to a qualified accordion technician. If you decide to do the work yourself, then try to use good parts. The Carini company in Italy has all types of reed valves. Their website seems to be a bit disorganised at the moment but give them a try: www.carinidena.it You can also try the Hohner website: www.hohner-cshop.de/en/Akkordeon/Parts-Accordion/Valves/

@adamcolbertmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@stimmrad Thank you for the resources. My phone does not automatically translate the websites, so it is too much information overload at the moment, but I at least I know about it now. As of yet, I haven't opened my accordion and looked at the insides. I haven't even paid for it yet, but the local music store owner is my friend and he "advanced" it to me to try out and make sure I like it, which I do. Anyway I'm not going to take any "surgical action" until it's officially mine, but I'm doing preliminary research. It obviously has some out of tune notes, some on the pull and some on the push of the bellows. It has some air leaks and wheezing here and there, but I've only theorized whether its from a leak in the brittle reed wax or from a curled valve. So yes, I'm in the "researching ahead of time" stage :)

@Klassenfeind

Жыл бұрын

Adam, accordion valves always have to be installed with the shorter layer facing up, in fact some accordion repair people even customize the length of the top layer for more or less springiness.

How can i get one?

@stimmrad

Жыл бұрын

J.A. Harmonicas offers them for sale: jaharmonicas.com/webshop.html#!/products/harmonica-valve-tool-with-reed-lifter