Replace harmonica reeds just like you change strings on a guitar

You don't need to throw away a harmonica because of a blown reed. Just like broken guitar strings can be replaced, so can harmonica reeds. In fact, you can change a harmonica reed in the same amount of time it takes to change a guitar string (usually less!)
You can find my reed replacement kit here:
harp.andrewzaja...
and in the USA
rockinronsmusic...
Full email support is included with the kit.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

This is so helpful Andrew thank you!

[@burntchickennugget8142]

Wiat you ain't got no checkmark dawg? Liam does lollolol

[@JohnBrown-CRSI]

Andrew, thank you for the excellent detailed explanation of the process. I'm pleased to say that I've just successfully completed my first reed replacement. Your fantastic videos, well designed tools and practical advice all contributed to my success. I feel a great sense of accomplishment and have largely you to thank.

[@jasperblues1231]

Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge and experience!

[@TradIrishHarper]

Outstanding! I have a 270 with rusted rivets and this will definitely help me to get them replaced

[@Kurtie7]

Thank you again, Arzajac. This video is a great reference....Well done.

[@Uri1000x1]

No one probably has those tools and materials, but it looks easier than I thought.

[@MicahScottPnD]

Excellent video!

[@alistaircornacchio5727]

Where do you get the replacement reeds from without buying a whole plate?

[@SWEEToPETESoPUB]

Andrew thanks for the video, I've learned so much from watching your vids, I approach the time when it will be worth purchasing some of your more sophisticated tools ( I make the simpler ones myself). I've replaced a few reeds as practice. They were matched, e.g. Herring [D] 6 hole draw for a Herring [D] 6 hole draw. For my next trick, I thought I would exchange reeds from different keys of the same manufacturer, e.g. a Hering [G] 9 hole draw (C5) for a Hering [C] 7 Hole Blow (C5). Alas, the former reed is shorter than the latter by about 1mm. They seem to be the same width. I hazard to guess, this has something to do with temperament. Please illuminate us.

[@isanaff3948]

Where do you get extra reeds from? Ive never seen reeds sold separately

[@Charlie19501]

Google the Hohnor. Seen it.

[@dougbaz43]

Nicely done though perhaps confusing to a beginner who would wonder why take a reed out and then screw it back in-- in other words, normally you would want to change a blown reed. Where to get individual reeds is not covered (Hohner of course sells them)

[@Dave.O]

Maybe . . . Last time I checked they didn't offer reeds for #5 draw - D - on a Chromatta 12. :(

[@Dave.O]

I ordered a reed from Hohner USA. Looks as if the 270 has the same size reeds. I was under the impression that the reeds from different makes and models would be different. Looks as if I was wrong. Yes I have a dead diatonic I could cannibalize from (Huang). I bought a couple of cheap chromatic harps via eBay so I could try them without breaking the bank. All they took was a good cleaning. The 270 had a split comb that was very easy to patch & the Chrometta-12 had the blown #5 draw reed. Sorry, but I don't know how long it lasted. My Chrometta-8 is a sweet baby to play except I often just run out of holes!

[@ChromaticHarp]

Thanks for your comment..exactly what happened with me….confused..

[@TechTins_Projects]

This is a great vide. Thank you. Are reeds interchangeable between models. For example I have a chines harmonica called conjurer. Could I purchase hohner reeds for it?

[@starckwest6358]

Very good

[@kmpant4997]

Sir where can I get the tools for harmonica reed changing and also the reeds for diatonic harmonicas. Regards, k m pant

[@julessutton2773]

Very helpful. But you quickly glossed over tuning the reed. How do you do this/

[@Justin-hb9wc]

man I wish I had an in person tutor for this

[@greglaxton5766]

Thank you. Very informative.

[@ZapeZeam]

Thank you very much. Useful video

[@beboron3930]

Sir is this tool kit still available in the underlined website?

[@nothankyou8365]

Even easier than changing guitar string :)

[@MurilodeMoraes]

Really nice video, Andrew!! I've found M1 screws... Do you think it's gonna work well?? Thank you!!!

[@harmonicawave]

How I buy Reed's from India?

[@nihalfernandofernando2261]

Hiplease tele me how to poen ridplat with aut skru harmonica

[@johngregory7800]

Does this tool works with chromatic harmonicas?

[@rconger24]

6:25-6:40: The reedplate leaves the view for a sound test. What happened? What was done out of the view to get the note we heard?

[@JustOneGuyMusic]

I noticed, in other videos, Andrew simply puts the reed plate to his lips. If you perse your lips on the non-reed side of a top or bottom reed plate and gently draw breath, it will sound. Makes tuning much quicker for top plate.

[@whitestplayer3014]

@@JustOneGuyMusic Where does he do that? I'm sure he puts the plate on a comb or uses his French tuner™.

[@JustOneGuyMusic]

@@whitestplayer3014 not in the video attached to this comment. It was one of his other videos. I don't remember which one. I do it all the time now. It's fairly simple. Put a plate flat on you lips (mouth open so don't block airflow) with reeds facing outward. Don't worry about singling out one reed for now. Lightly draw your breath. It pulls the reeds through the channel and makes sound.

[@JustOneGuyMusic]

@@whitestplayer3014watch his Demystifying Overblows starting at 2:44. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHvGnXmug7iXaK8.

[@whitestplayer3014]

@@JustOneGuyMusic Thank you very much, will try it some day!

[@tenvolt]

My question may be answered below but did you repair the defective reed or was this just a demonstration of how to remove one reed which you would normally replace with another? I've got a growing pile of harmonicas with one blown reed in each so I assume I could take a reed of the same note from one harmonica to replace the blown reed of the other? Are draw and blow reeds interchangeable or would the reed also have to be of the same type (blow/draw)? Thanks for any info you can provide. Also any recommendations for where to get the specialized tools such as the reed wrench?

[@tenvolt]

Thanks for the info, looking at getting the right tools. Not sure if my eyes are good enough for this job though. :)

[@j3musicals]

Helpful👏✌