Golden Melody Harmonica Cover Plates... Opened!

This was intended to be a short video to discuss my progress with opening cover plates, but as it turns out, it's not too short after all. :) If you're a Golden Melody player and would like my assistance with opening your covers, drop me a line. I can also assist with Special 20's. For great custom harps, combs and reed work, check out the guys mentioned in the video.

[@harpin191]

I like the radically opened harps, they look like the back of a 1950's Chevy!

[@harpninjamike]

Excellent job on the cover plates!

[@GlockGuy40Cal]

nice harps and great up close video! just what i like.

[@boiclyde]

That opened back and green clear comb is awesome looking...

[@dtxxr]

Thank you, what you are saying makes a great deal of sense. I have a material sciences background, so sometimes I look a little too deepl into some things. You have just such a frieldly, easy-going demeanor that you make this instrument approachable by all, and that may be your greatest attribute. Originally a classicly trained pianist, I find your explanations panacea.

[@nacoran]

I think we need a build-off contest for best looking harp. There are some people out there making beautiful stuff.

[@AceOfHarps]

@jugglerjoe - Thanks very much for the kind words. Glad the videos are a help to you! Yep, that's me playing the piano and harmonica at the end of the clip.

[@ichkannsnet]

excellent playing

[@cherylgreiner9424]

Love the Mister melody.

[@Harmonica123]

Nice harps! Hope to catch up with you soon Todd.

[@tritonaso]

I realy Llove your work.

[@pasqualeintrano]

you are the ACE!!!!

[@AceOfHarps]

@RonnieShellist - Thanks man... hope you're doing well!

[@dtxxr]

Hi Todd, Thank you for all of the fantastic videos. I have a question about something I heard you say, if you wouldn't mind answering. Basically, I want to ask what the practical difference is between a normal comb and a long slot comb. I know they take different reeds. I also realize the long slot comb will have less mass, but is that the important part?

[@AceOfHarps]

@mikefugazzi - Thanks man!

[@nhphoto1]

ah thanks for your reply, they are on the wrong way around! 1 is the highest and 10 the lowest...now I`m thinking there must be something wrong with it if the covers have been taken off :(

[@nhphoto1]

thanks for the vid.I`ve been given a golden melody. with the numbers on the top going left to right with 1 on the left. should 1 be the highest note and 10 lowest?. sorry for the dumb question probably but seems like the plates have been put on the wrong way!

[@sachetsofrelish]

Nice. Has anybody put LEDs in the acrylic combs yet?

[@Joeylaps610]

could you make a video on how you extend the cover plates

[@AceOfHarps]

I'd love to, but it would be extremely difficult. It's pretty time consuming with the Golden Melody, whereas a Special 20 takes about 60 seconds to open. The Golden Melodies need to be to be prepped by removing metal with a dremel before they can be opened, otherwise the risk of distorting the plates is much greater.

[@PvPwithdinner]

i want oneeeeeeee

[@AceOfHarps]

It's really just the length of the slots. In other words, you can't place a long-slot set of reed plates, like the key of A for example, on a short-slot comb. For Hohners, long-slot is anything C or lower, and short-slot is anything Db or higher. I think Chris Reynolds makes all of his combs so that you can place any key you want, long-slot or short-slot, on one of his combs. I don't think it makes any difference in the tone.

[@AceOfHarps]

Not necessarily... your harp may be just fine. I've bought Golden Melodies before that had 2 bottom covers, and they played just fine. I guess mix-ups just happen at the factory sometimes.

[@AlexRossiharmonica]

do you sale the combos?

[@AceOfHarps]

No, those combs came from Randy Sandoval and Chris Reynolds. Their information is at the end of the video.

[@tritonaso]

Im from Chile ... How can i buy a harp?

[@AceOfHarps]

I don't sell the harmonicas, but you can get the combs like this from Chris Reynolds. Hope this helps!

[@tritonaso]

thanks a lot my friend

[@AceOfHarps]

Nope. The covers are correct. 1 is the lowest note, 10 is the highest.