Harp On!

For a period of time back around 1950-1960 Hohner produced plastic comb 16 hole chromatic harmonicas with the reedplates nailed on. This page provides steps how to safely replace them with screws.

If you can purchase new Hohner chromatic harmonica reedplate screws this will reduce the amount of work & potentially convenient down the track for future maintenance.

Replacing nails with screws on plastic comb Hohner chromatic harmonicas

• Disassemble down to the comb & reedplate
  + Remove almost everything else, with the exception of the slide spring.
  
• Replace each nail with a screw one at a time:
  + To keep reedplates & screw holes properly aligned, especially with drilling
  + To provide maximum support when removing each nail to mitigate warping the reedplates
  
• Remove a nail
  + Use some form of support which is firm but non-damaging to support the harmonica & offer as much support near the nail head as possible. I use a pair of old marine band combs.
  + Use small hammer & 2mm punch on the nail tip to push it out, don't let the punch slip
  + Take care when removing stubborn nails. You can use horse nip pliers to pull it out but avoid warping reedplates. Also patient wiggling while pulling sometimes works
  
• Replace with a self tapping Hohner chromatic reedplate screw
  + Unlike nails all screws are installed through the top reedplate
  + Drill the top reedplate screw hole with 2mm drill bit
  + Use a good fitting screw driver with decent handle & a firm hand to cut the thread first time round
  + Once screwed in properly, unscrew, & rescrew back in
• Or if Hohner chromatic reedplate screws are unavailable
  + Use 0-80 5/8" SS Phillips head screws
  + Drill the top reedplate screw hole with 1.5mm drill bit
  + Tap bottom reedplate hole with 0-80 tap
  + Use small screwdriver when installing screws to avoid stripping the thread.
  + Bigger screws could be used, but their heads may interfere with assembly, reeds and/or valves
  
• Repeat for each screw until complete
  + I start with one middle nail, followed by one nail at each end of the instrument
  + After that I work out from the central screws towards both ends, left screw, then right screw, then left… etc
• Finishing off
  + Once all the screws have been installed, uninstall the reedplates
  + You need to vacuum, brush, sand, wipe and/or wash away any brass burrs & dust you find before you put the instrument in your mouth
  

Old plastic combs do get warped from decades of pressure from the slide assembly bowing out at the back, new stock combs fit perfectly.

This process can be applied to early Hohner plastic comb diatonics & double reed harps, e.g. Golden Melody.

-- G.
6 November 2009

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