Posted by QZAD on February 01, 2002 at 13:03:49:
In Reply to: Scary harp Incident... posted by James on January 31, 2002 at 11:53:40:
:I have had several 5-reeds on Special 20's of all keys crack. I have always caught them as they went way flat, before they came loose. I wrote to Honer, who had a generic response. Always break in a new harp, always warm harp up to room temperature before playing, don't play too loud. They say 5 and 7-reed are more susceptible because 5 and 7 reed can only bend 1/4 step and cannot release harmonic in other reed. I still think Spec.20's are less durable.
Like a few of us I play during my commute. My 5 hole on my Special 20 was 'stuck'. I kept forgetting to clean it out. Well, I did a blow 5 and the reed came flying out! It was snapped at the rivet,straight across. This worries me bacause I don't want to draw a frigging reed down my trachea and choke to death from playing the harp. Is this common? And no I am conscience of not blowing hard when I play. Pretty nasty visual when I hold the sharp broken reed in my hand and think about chocking while driving my car!
: YIKES!