magnetic card stock for weighting reeds

[wunks]

Alright, here's the puddin':   I cut a piece of a fridge magnet card, with kitchen scissors, about 1/3 the length of the reed and slightly narrower.  I popped out the reed assy. and placed the tab slightly back from the tip.  It didn't seem to adhere very well but I put everything back together for a try.  Amazingly, it worked and if anything sounds better than the other reed in the shoe!  It is, to my ear, spot on Eb: a full step down in pitch.  I don't have time at the moment to give it a real workout but I expect it will shift and/or come loose with vigorous play or a jolt from setting down the case.  The whole test by ear, eye and dead recon took about 5 min.  I'll post when I can get back to it.  😀

[mChavez]

18 hours ago, wunks said:

It is, to my ear, spot on Eb: a full step down in pitch.

 

Have you checked it with an accurate tuner?

Because I'd expect a slightest mis-alignment/change in magnet's position to throw the tuning out.

 

An old joke comes to mind:

- What's a minor second?

- Two accordionists trying to play in unison.

[wunks]

1 hour ago, mChavez said:

 

Have you checked it with an accurate tuner?

Because I'd expect a slightest mis-alignment/change in magnet's position to throw the tuning out.

No I haven't.  Any such misalignment would probably foul the slot.  For me, in this instance, if it sounds right it is right.  I should get a chance to play and handle it a bit roughly today and find out at what point it will slip out of position.

Edited November 10, 2023 by wunks
clarity

[wunks]

After playing for a couple of days and moving the the instrument around ( both in case and out ), what I would consider normal handling, I detect no change in pitch, buzzing or other anomalies.  I'm pleasantly surprised.  The card stock is quite flexible.  I gave it a slight convex bend to keep the ends from lifting.  I'll post if it changes.  Time will tell!

 

While this works great for a low bi-sonoric pair,  I'm guessing it would work as a test if one were contemplating  a permanent layout change anywhere in the box.  One full step in pitch might be a limit though.

 

Cheers.