That was a good instructional video. Plastic moldings tend to warp over time, and also shrink a bit. That's what is causing this issue. ABS plastic, of which this comb is made, is supposed to have a better stability against this type of deformities - I am surprised that such an expensive harmonica has this issue. BTW, circular motion for sanding is better than linear - it assures uniform finish which is even and without any linear scratch marks.
I've done this to both my SCX-64 and Hohner 280 - 64 and the difference is not subtle. In addition to flattening the comb face and lapping the slide, I also flattened the back of he mouthpiece so It sits flat on the comb without leaks. What really supersized me was my wind-savers don't sick anymore. If your harp leaks cold air around the mouthpiece while you are playing, your valves will stick from condensation after awhile even if you do preheat the harp.
I just got one and am having major problems with the button. I was thinking it was the spring as it seems to want to pop out all the time when I clean. When I push in the short end seems to want to go down to the bottom. In other words it always sits in with a rotation but you may have just given me the solution. Thank you so much.
I have Sirius S-56C chromatic, earlier i flattened comb using glass plate and abrasive paper. Tonight bad slide with metal polish, works better. Thanks, greetings!
They my 2nd favorite chromatic and they are a fantastic harp-but Easttop flat sand their combs and have 3 screws added to the mouthpiece interface. Great job on your work!
I'm a beginner ,, SCX is my choice when Im ready to upgrade my chromatic :) for now for the meantime I'm using easttop chromatic :) thank you sir for sharing
Hi nice to hear another of your videos. I agree with what you have said, bare one. The olive oil. Leave olive oil out on a kitchen bench and it will soon go rank. I suppose if you are going to clean the slide and replace the oil every few days, then I suppose its ok, but if left for several weeks, then I would hate to put my mouth on it.Also after a while I would imagine it would smell. Anyway I enjoy your clips and agree most plastic, if not all require a sanding to improve airtightness. Cheers Hanz
Thanks for the heads up Hanz! I agree my friend. If we are doing what we should though we should keep care of our instruments regularly. I have to clean mine at least one to two times a week due to practice and playing. Do you have a suggestion for something other than the olive oil? So far I've had no issues with it but would love to hear another alternative if you have one!
Hi paul, That's the big question I suppose all chromatic players ask. I have a Suzuki scx-48 a 16 hole Hohner Larry Adler and a Meisterklasse 7565. The Larry Adler was the cheapest and the Meisterklasse the most expensive. From New the Meisterklasse was the slowest slide and the Larry Adler is the best. I contacted Hohner Germany and their updated advise is use nothing just keep it clean and wash with water. i have used Vaseline on the Larry Adler but found it to be problematic. I do agree plastic combs need sanding, but apart from that I put the Harmonica Mouth piece only in half an inch of water after each use, moving the slide a few times, then with the Harmonica standing on the mouth piece I let them dry for an hour. Doing this I have found to be satisfactory. Thanks for your videos I certainly enjoy watching. Take care Hanz
Great job! Im going to try this on my Swan 1248 to make it more air tight. BTW I was able to purchase the Suzuki slide oil on E bay. It did take about 4 weeks to be delivered !
Thank you for such detailed introduction! I assume if no worn out mark on the comb and no any scrach or defects found on the surface of slider, then no grinding and polishing iare needed, right?
Hey there Dan, I don't necessarily grind the slider per se and you have to be careful when polishing it to keep it very flat. If you don't feel you need to, that's fine but sometimes there are small imperfections that can cause more friction. I did it because I figured if I was going to go through the trouble of making the comb flat, I would make sure the slider was good and clean. You may not need it. If the harmonica is performing well, then it's completely up to you! Good luck!
Hey there Dave, sorry for the delay! That's a pretty high end instrument and the comb material, while it's still a plastic (abs resin), is a bit different. I don't know that I would do that with the Sirius, but I would say you could start out by polishing the slider. Take care not to take off too much material if you do this. Also, you may want to just double check your mouth piece screws. I would give it all a good cleaning, polish the slider, then see what happens.
Thanks for this! However, have you seen Brendan's Quick Fixes video? All he does to improve the slide action is dab some Vaseline on the slider. What's your opinion of that?
@landztranz , yes I have seen that video! It's a good one. Everything Brendan does is good. This however was something that is inherent in the model and I had attempted that fix before. My SCX literally plays better than some of my really pricey harmonicas now that I have done this. The vaseline is something I do use now instead of the olive oil and I like it better. Prior to this, the vaseline fix would work for a short time but the slider would get hung up again. I can't recommend this enough if you have an SCX. It's a game changer.
Hey there oLiBeT 8012 No, I definitely don't ever dunk any of my harmonicas. I wouldn't suggest that for a chromatic especially. There are windsavers on the reeds that could get damaged. I take mine apart and use a rag with some warm soapy water on it, then I use a little alcohol but I don't get the alcohol on those wind savers. The only time you want to do anything with the wind savers is if you are replacing one or have to clear any crystallized saliva from it. Just take it apart, and wipe it all down and you should be good! Good Luck!
Hey there Cal Cal, sorry for the delayed response!! I just bought a car polishing compound with a light grit. Something that isn't too abrasive. You don't want to do much more than just polish the surface. I hope that helps!
😁 😂 I'M using Hohner Chromonica 64 280 c Chromatic for many year's.. NO Complaints of Leakage honestly.. But to be frank all the plastic Comb in similar model Harmonica's aren't of same quality or of absolutely flat surface. Even Hohner Chromonica has Leakage complain or lower end Reed's rattling.. Except for high end Harmonica's like Meisterklasse 7565 14 Hole's Chromatic. Even Hohner Super 64 X transparent acrylic Comb is also very fragile & have complain of slight leaking.. But please don't even try to modify yourself.. Only if you're experienced.. Otherwise it may lead to blunder and damage..
I just did this to my SCX64 and it’s a totally different instrument, well worth it!
That was a good instructional video. Plastic moldings tend to warp over time, and also shrink a bit. That's what is causing this issue. ABS plastic, of which this comb is made, is supposed to have a better stability against this type of deformities - I am surprised that such an expensive harmonica has this issue. BTW, circular motion for sanding is better than linear - it assures uniform finish which is even and without any linear scratch marks.
Hey Paul, i decided to try your method on my Swan 1664 instead . What a difference ! The reponse is excellent. Very air tight! Thank you, Brian
Hey Brian! Man, I am so happy to hear that! Excellent!!!
I've done this to both my SCX-64 and Hohner 280 - 64 and the difference is not subtle. In addition to flattening the comb face and lapping the slide, I also flattened the back of he mouthpiece so It sits flat on the comb without leaks. What really supersized me was my wind-savers don't sick anymore. If your harp leaks cold air around the mouthpiece while you are playing, your valves will stick from condensation after awhile even if you do preheat the harp.
Yes sir! Glad you got good results. Doing that to my SCX made that harmonica my favorite. It's just that good. Thanks Douglas!
I just got one and am having major problems with the button. I was thinking it was the spring as it seems to want to pop out all the time when I clean. When I push in the short end seems to want to go down to the bottom. In other words it always sits in with a rotation but you may have just given me the solution. Thank you so much.
I have Sirius S-56C chromatic, earlier i flattened comb using glass plate and abrasive paper. Tonight bad slide with metal polish, works better. Thanks, greetings!
They my 2nd favorite chromatic and they are a fantastic harp-but Easttop flat sand their combs and have 3 screws added to the mouthpiece interface. Great job on your work!
I gotta check out those Easttops for sure! Thanks Carl!!
I'm a beginner ,, SCX is my choice when Im ready to upgrade my chromatic :) for now for the meantime I'm using easttop chromatic :) thank you sir for sharing
Thanks @ArtMan TV for checking out my channel! There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Easttop stuff as long as it serves you well! Take care!
Hi nice to hear another of your videos. I agree with what you have said, bare one. The olive oil. Leave olive oil out on a kitchen bench and it will soon go rank. I suppose if you are going to clean the slide and replace the oil every few days, then I suppose its ok, but if left for several weeks, then I would hate to put my mouth on it.Also after a while I would imagine it would smell. Anyway I enjoy your clips and agree most plastic, if not all require a sanding to improve airtightness. Cheers Hanz
Thanks for the heads up Hanz! I agree my friend. If we are doing what we should though we should keep care of our instruments regularly. I have to clean mine at least one to two times a week due to practice and playing. Do you have a suggestion for something other than the olive oil? So far I've had no issues with it but would love to hear another alternative if you have one!
Hi paul, That's the big question I suppose all chromatic players ask. I have a Suzuki scx-48 a 16 hole Hohner Larry Adler and a Meisterklasse 7565. The Larry Adler was the cheapest and the Meisterklasse the most expensive. From New the Meisterklasse was the slowest slide and the Larry Adler is the best. I contacted Hohner Germany and their updated advise is use nothing just keep it clean and wash with water. i have used Vaseline on the Larry Adler but found it to be problematic. I do agree plastic combs need sanding, but apart from that I put the Harmonica Mouth piece only in half an inch of water after each use, moving the slide a few times, then with the Harmonica standing on the mouth piece I let them dry for an hour. Doing this I have found to be satisfactory.
Thanks for your videos I certainly enjoy watching. Take care
Hanz
Love your Videos, please more uploads!
Thanks Marwin! I truly appreciate that. I have some stuff coming up very very soon! Take care my friend!
Great job! Im going to try this on my Swan 1248 to make it more air tight. BTW I was able to purchase the Suzuki slide oil on E bay. It did take about 4 weeks to be delivered !
Awesome Brian! Let me know how it works out. Four weeks?? That's pretty bad. LOL!
Love the tip and presentation - will do that as well. Thanks!
Awesome! Good luck!
Thanks again Paul. Dig your videos.
Thanks so much!! Take care my friend
love all your videos Paul can you play a slow blues jam. and thanks for all your help
Hey thanks Charlie! I've got some stuff in the works my friend. Thanks for the kind words and take care!
Wow really helpful thank you
So glad to hear that!!
Thank you for such detailed introduction! I assume if no worn out mark on the comb and no any scrach or defects found on the surface of slider, then no grinding and polishing iare needed, right?
Hey there Dan,
I don't necessarily grind the slider per se and you have to be careful when polishing it to keep it very flat. If you don't feel you need to, that's fine but sometimes there are small imperfections that can cause more friction. I did it because I figured if I was going to go through the trouble of making the comb flat, I would make sure the slider was good and clean. You may not need it. If the harmonica is performing well, then it's completely up to you! Good luck!
Thanks for this video. My Sirius slide drags considerably. Can I use this same technique on a Sirius?
Hey there Dave, sorry for the delay! That's a pretty high end instrument and the comb material, while it's still a plastic (abs resin), is a bit different. I don't know that I would do that with the Sirius, but I would say you could start out by polishing the slider. Take care not to take off too much material if you do this. Also, you may want to just double check your mouth piece screws. I would give it all a good cleaning, polish the slider, then see what happens.
@@Pleasum Thanks so much. I'll start with the slider. Take care,
@@highschoolreputation I hope it helps!
Thanks for this! However, have you seen Brendan's Quick Fixes video? All he does to improve the slide action is dab some Vaseline on the slider. What's your opinion of that?
@landztranz , yes I have seen that video! It's a good one. Everything Brendan does is good. This however was something that is inherent in the model and I had attempted that fix before. My SCX literally plays better than some of my really pricey harmonicas now that I have done this. The vaseline is something I do use now instead of the olive oil and I like it better. Prior to this, the vaseline fix would work for a short time but the slider would get hung up again. I can't recommend this enough if you have an SCX. It's a game changer.
How do you clean your chromatic harmonicas? Do you just dunk it in water then dry it out? Thanks
Hey there oLiBeT 8012 No, I definitely don't ever dunk any of my harmonicas. I wouldn't suggest that for a chromatic especially. There are windsavers on the reeds that could get damaged. I take mine apart and use a rag with some warm soapy water on it, then I use a little alcohol but I don't get the alcohol on those wind savers. The only time you want to do anything with the wind savers is if you are replacing one or have to clear any crystallized saliva from it. Just take it apart, and wipe it all down and you should be good! Good Luck!
Hi Paul
Which polishing compound did you use?
Hey there Cal Cal, sorry for the delayed response!! I just bought a car polishing compound with a light grit. Something that isn't too abrasive. You don't want to do much more than just polish the surface. I hope that helps!
😁 😂 I'M using Hohner Chromonica 64 280 c Chromatic for many year's.. NO Complaints of Leakage honestly.. But to be frank all the plastic Comb in similar model Harmonica's aren't of same quality or of absolutely flat surface. Even Hohner Chromonica has Leakage complain or lower end Reed's rattling.. Except for high end Harmonica's like Meisterklasse 7565 14 Hole's Chromatic. Even Hohner Super 64 X transparent acrylic Comb is also very fragile & have complain of slight leaking.. But please don't even try to modify yourself.. Only if you're experienced.. Otherwise it may lead to blunder and damage..