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Repairs & Maintenance
[Reed Plate Replacement] |
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Here's is a very easy repair you can do which may save you money and allow you to keep your favorite diatonics in good playing condition.
General Information
- Replacement Reed Plates are available for Lee Oskar and Hohner MS diatonic harmonicas- If you choose to do so, you can replace the reed plates in these type of harmonicas. If the Hohner diatonic has "MS" imprinted on the top cover plate, it is eligible for reed plate replacement. If not, it isn't (or at least will be difficult to get the necessary parts and to perform).
Lee Oskar Replacement Reed Plates.
- "MS" stands for Modular System: 2 kinds- Hohner makes two kinds of "MS" reed plates, one for the lower-priced models and one for the more expensive models. For instance, the "Big River" uses the low end "MS" plates while the Meisterklasse uses the more expensive "MS" plates. All "MS" replacement reed plates are of the more expensive variety and will fit into any "MS" model including the "Big River" and other models it didn't originally come in.
- Hohner Special 20, Marine Band, and Golden Melody replacement reed plates- It is possible to order them directly from the Hohner Company, but in most cases, you may find it easier to merely buy a new one to replace your old one or transfer the reed plates from the new one to the old one (assuming you have a particular attachment to it).
- Reed Plate replacement vs. buying a new harmonica- Although it is not difficult to replace reed plates, you will need to decide if it is worth your time and effort to do so. New harmonicas are many times only a few dollars more (but it does depend upon the model).
- What about replacing an individual reed?- It's usually not worth the time and expense it takes to locate and purchase the proper tools for the job. Nor are all attempts at replacing an individual reed successful. Unless you really like to tinker, your best bet is replacing the complete reed plate or purchasing a new harmonica.
Replacing Your Reed Plates
- First, disassemble cover plates, reed plates, and comb.- Use the appropriate screw driver for your brand of harmonica (flat head or phillips).
Disassemble cover plates, reed plates, and comb.
- Cleaning the comb- You may want to take this opportunity to clean the plastic comb with warm water, soap, and an old tooth brush -- rinse completely. If your comb is made of wood, skip the water and soap and merely rub it down with the old toothbrush.
- VERY IMPORTANT: Carefully align and seat the new reed plates- Break open the package of replacement reed plates and place them on the comb. Read the directions in the package to lay them in correctly (blow plate on top). Use your thumb and forefinger to squeze and slide the plates and comb around until the plates feel "seated" properly within the comb. If you fail to do so, the harmonica will leak more air than it originally did and will not play as well as before.
Disassembled cover plates, reed plates, screws, and comb.
- Don't over-tighten the reed plate screws- While securely holding the "seated" reed plates in place with your thumb and forefinger, replace the reed plate screws. Do not over-tighten these screws, it doesn't help. Over-tightening tends to cause a warping in the screw areas and increase air leakage. Loose is better than tight. Remember, these plates will also be held securely in place with the final cover plate screws.
- Replace the cover plates, not too tight or loose- As with the reed plate screws, do not over-tighten the cover plate screws. Be sure to check that the cover plates are aligned correctly on top of the reed plates before final tightening.
- Should one cover plate screw be tighter than the other?- Not necessarily, but you may find that the screw located on the "high end" can cause the harmonica to feel slightly more airtight if it is a bit tighter than the "low end" screw. Sometimes this helps, sometimes not.
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