Harmonica Maintenance

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I purchased a new harmonica (key of D) while I was in Sarasota Springs, NY this summer. Almost immediately, two of the draw reeds started to stick in the lower register. After a few google searches, I gathered the confidence to take the harmonica apart.



Look on the left of the picture near the "A440." Those small, round pieces are tiny nails (brads) not screws. By wiggling a knife under the silver plating near the brads, the etched cover can be removed. Underneath the cover, the reed plate is also held down with brads. On one side, the draw reeds are set, and the blow reeds are on the other.



The reed plates were fairly gunky, so I soaked them in nail polish remover and carefully wipred them. In addition, the two reeds that were sticking were just slightly askew. Notice that the individual reeds are riveted on one end. Below the reeds, the plate is cut out to allow air to flow over the reed. If the reed is blown too hard, or otherwise jostled, it can pivet to one side, and vibrate against the edge of its plate cut out causing it to stick, buzz, or produce no sound.



Here is the freshly cleaned plate, the pearwood comb, top cover, brads, and my reed adjustment tool.


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