how to tweak a harmonica (raw version)

Every harmonica player needs to know how to adjust a balky harp. This is NOT the approved way! But it is one player's quick-and-dirty way. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
Gussow is an official endorser of Hohner Marine Band harmonicas, which he has been playing exclusively for more than forty years.
www.hohner.de/...
www.modernblue...
If you'd like to learn how to play blues harmonica, please visit my website:www.modernblue...

[@cultivatelife]

What tool is that at 4:44? Looks like a handy tinkering tool.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

The tool set that I own was given to me by a man who DOES know what he is doing: Richard Sleigh. I would urge everybody interested in this subject to contact him through his website. Here's a video in which he demos some of his tools and techniques: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIHKdZ6BotCSeJY

[@giusepperesponte8077]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 what a coincidence you would mention him, I watched one of his videos on what happens when you bend a note and I couldn’t believe how good of a teacher he was, that guy has a masterful understanding of how wind interacts with reeds and instruments

[@OmniphonProductions]

Between gap adjustments and filing methods, your videos have saved me literally thousands of dollars in unnecessary, premature replacements over the years. Thanks, yet again!

[@sk22ng]

Thank you, Adam. I learned after a year or two of playing early on to disassemble a fresh harp to "set the reeds" before playing the first notes.

[@josephascroft4774]

I know you said do not try this at home but I had a Horner marine band with a dead reed and I did exactly what you said and it works great now, thanks for the help, and God bless, Joe

[@mattsmart705]

I’m new to harp. But I had to adjust a couple of my draws. I, knowing more or less nothing about tuning harps. Dived in. I fiddled a little and lo and behold. It was successful. Sounded magnificent. Still cautious. But ya gotta try haven’t ya. 👋🤠🎵

[@lise-annedore8935]

Adam... 2021 Global Blues Harmonica Summit (day 1) just finished. I just gapped my 3 hole and it is sooo much easier to play bends. I watched and used this video a long time ago. I'll do this...again before day 2 of Summit!

[@adamwest6536]

Very useful tip. I use receipt paper to plink new reads if they're not very responsive. I even keep my tools with me just in case something gets caught in a reed like lint or a cat hair!

[@OmniphonProductions]

My harp case includes a set of jewelers files and a couple of business cards for working on reeds. Now, I just need a dedicated "mini-Phillips", and I'll be all set.

[@Ray-cw1jd]

Your are a great player and teacher and very good-hearted! Thank you for your posts!

[@natevance5832]

Now this is a series I think we all would love to see.

[@manchesterdave]

Mr Gussow, the gift that keeps giving. 🤘

[@sk22ng]

Nice video Adam. I learned from one of your earlier videos regarding this to adjust the reed gaps before I paly a new harp for the first time. What a big difference this makes for consistent smooth playing. Although all of the Hohners I bought were tuned for correct pitch from the factory, I found they were a little inconsistent regarding reed gaps.

[@chriscaskenette]

Thanks Adam, this tweaking technique is going to save me money , much appreciated.

[@SiggyMe]

Adam good topic and vid. Thanks!

[@faethe000]

I'll be right back with you! Video ends

[@gregoryporch8395]

I picked up a Special 20 in Ab with a "weak draw" on reed 3 right out of the box... I tried your method using a razorblade and the harp plays better than ever.

[@jprice276]

Dude’s not kidding. He’s definitely tweaking! He better not meth up his harp or he’ll be sorry!😂

[@adamfox9651]

I love Marine Bands, but I hate that they still use the pins in them. I tried taking one apart once-4 draw reed was already dead, so I figured I had nothing to lose-and Jesús, Matty, and Felipe did I make a mess of things. Wrecked the comb and everything, and putting it together again was nigh on impossible. I don't dare take one of those infernal contraptions apart again. Kudos to you for your courage and skill. You're a better man than I, good sir.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I've always liked those little nails, but I'll agree that they're not to everybody's taste. They certainly facilitate this sort of on-the-fly mod work.

[@adamfox9651]

@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 Well, you've got a lot a more experience with this sort of thing than I sure do. You're an old pro, and I'm just a shmo. But let me ask you this: years ago, when you only had a few years of harp experience under your belt, what did you think of the nails back then?

[@robertbrunston5406]

Great video! I was wondering how to do th this and how to solve this tuning problem! Thank you so much you helped me a real lot.

[@mrfamous333]

Hey Adam, thanks for throwing this out, I've been tweaking the 3 draw reed since your first video on the subject. If I could ask a favor, when you have a 3 draw reed on the"perfect" gap, will you please put a feeler gauge in there to measure the gap in thousandths? I'm curious if it works across the board or if each player has a different 3 draw gap based on individual embouchure/breathing. Thanks for teaching!

[@mrfamous333]

And for further reference I also use Marine bands/crossovers. I wonder how the ideal gap differs between various tunings.

[@s3myazz]

it does need to be perfect for the player. it's a manufactured instrument, there is most probably a range in which it is acceptable. Slightly more metal in factory and you will have a different 'perfect' setting. it's quite cheap instrument, no way all will be 100 or even 95% identical.

[@paulmartin39]

That's a great way to gap. Cheers

[@hh-ck6ko]

I need to try that. I tend to only tighten all 10 blow reeds for overblows.

[@tamborelconejo]

genius!, i love your videos

[@andydunn5673]

Good lesson doc

[@maverick47]

"Don't try this at home?" "Don't try this at home?" Should I find a neighbor willing to let me into their domicile to work on my harp? I think not!......Just yaanking your chain a bit, kind sir. So far, my Christmas gift Marine Band is working quite well but for a ringing on one of the holes which I have yet to identify and will hopefully heal itself with a few more hours of play. That being said, can you give me an idea of what causes the ringing that I hear? As always, thanks for what you do and shareing your knowledge and expertise with us and do you have a preferance as to how you are addressed? Richard Moore

[@Richc77]

YOU SHOULD DO LIVE STREAMING< AND THEN WE COULD SEE LIVE>>>>>AND INTERACT LIVE

[@derekfrost8991]

Basic stuff but necessary. Where would we be without Gussow? :)

[@jakeblue8506]

yup just like my grandpa taught me

[@nothankyou8365]

Was this pre planed or you always have all those tools with you? :)

[@JohnVieto]

That gap looked awful wide after you opened it up and adjusted it. Makes the harp too breathy for me. I like it gapped really tight for blow and draw reeds.

[@jamesmares4206]

Field repairs, good to know. If you want much more detailed information on this topic suggest you look up Andrew Zajack on youtube

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Yes! He's a friend and somebody who really knows what he's doing. I don't. He does.

[@ikust007]

2:09 but then how do you overdraw or overblow ? Cheers teach

[@MegaBoomer666]

Ich hatte mal eine Hohner Marine Band Classic Sie quellt so stark auf das die Zähne vorstehen Ich glaube das die Harps mit Klarlack nach lackiert werden von Herrn Gussow,s sonst habe ich keine Erklärung dafür das die Harps nicht auf quellen beim spielen Vielen Grüße aus Deutschland

[@GeoSkywalker]

I watched this video because I need help in tuning my c draw note on G harp. My c draw sounds like a c draw bend note and gaping its brass piece end doesn’t help... Please advice Mr. Gussow

[@hendrixcrossan9104]

I just bought a hohner pro harp ms. And after a few hours the first hole became fuzzy and vibrate. Would this fix my problem?

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

How does a beginner know this needs to be done? Do all marine bands need tweaking out of the box? I find my bends besides the 4 draw a bit difficult

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

No, the great majority of them are just fine. Don't get me wrong: I LOVE Hohner Marine Band harps. But even excellent harps occasionally show up with sub-optimal gapping--and it's at that moment that it's helpful to know how quickly to remedy the situation.

[@TheSpewup]

Gussow's classic blues harmonica videos I just before Christmas purchased a Marine Band in key of A from music shop on ebay, it turned up and the two hole draw wouldn’t play, previously I had been playing a Hohner Blues Harp in key of C, had it maybe 10 years and never had a problem and played straight out of the box. I contacted the seller before Christmas and they posted me a second one (Marine Band Key of A) they were supposed to email me a return label but never did. So the second Marine Band turned up and this one didn’t play out of the box either, holes 2 and 3 draw wouldn’t play effortlessly or maybe not at all so they have both sat there not being played. I contacted the store again today and they have told me to keep both and refunded me, so I have two free Marine Bands that don’t play, he said he going to speak to his supplier and start testing them before sending with a mechanical tester. So it looks like I am going to have to get out my Lee Oskar tool kit which I bought after watching one of your videos years ago a more detailed video tuning harps. It’s a shame the Marine Band is little nails unlike the Hohner Blues Harp which has screws.

[@miguelangelcolon1345]

Hi, how old are you? I am 75.

[@stormrodgers2613]

Which key is that harp in?

[@user-is8hr6by2q]

Фига познавательно!

[@charliegregory4148]

I cant believe You didnt lose those tiny nails only to never find some again 😅😆😃🎸😎👍

[@Voltanaut]

don't spit in your harp, bro. so gross.

[@illzgrafikz]

Did your wife kick you out the house?

[@blitzfultime]

Now starting to get some nice bends on new g harp every hole sounds nice apart from hole 2 and 3? is this normal for a G harp thx.