Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

A space for players interested in my specialist harmonicas, alternate tunings, instructional material, recordings etc to ask questions and share information, experiences, videos etc.
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Brendan
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by Brendan » Sun Dec 06, 2020 1:54 am

Thanks for the recordings. I couldn't hear any issue on Valves 3, but could hear a slight buzz on Valves 2. Would you mind giving the key of the harp, plus what holes and breath direction the notes were?

vesuviation
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by vesuviation » Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:25 pm

Sorry, Is a D harp, 2 hole blow

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Brendan
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by Brendan » Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:15 am

Thanks vesuviation and others here for your comments. The diatonic Gasket-Valves were originally tested with a slightly different material to the one currently used - I wonder if that could be a contributing factor. I have the new material in my Lucky 13 harps and it's working well, but I'll do another check with it on some of the other harp models mentioned here.

I remember that the Seydel Session was a tough one to get right, eventually necessitating cutting small holes out for the protruding rivet ends so the valves could lie flat. I ended up doing that on a couple of other models too.

Will check and report back.

vesuviation
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by vesuviation » Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:55 am

Last week bought gasket-valves for Lee Oskar, Special 20 and Easttop, I think to receive in this days. So will post report

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Brendan
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by Brendan » Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:07 am

Hi peeps, just checking in to say I'm still on this (see my other thread on all things valve related). I'm on a quest to find the perfect single valve material - the Holy Grail. A fool's errand some would say, but I'm certainly finding it fascinating and learning a lot.

In the meantime my current inherently-curved polypropylene material for Gasket-Valves is the best overall I've found. Sticking with it until a better option is found.

If you're getting a bit of buzzing on some draw notes, it could be the vibrating draw reed swinging through the slot and hitting the valve inside. I've been half-valving diatonics for 40 years, and have struck that issue repeatedly over the years, with various valves. I remember it was a problem with the older white Suzuki valves in their Promaster MR360-V.

It could be happening for some of you with my Gasket-Valves, which have an inbuilt curve holding them flat.

One easy way to fix it is to get a toothpick, poke it carefully in the comb chamber and gently massage it along the length of the valve. The idea is to reduce the inbuilt curve and induce a slight lifting of the end of the valve. This will allow it to swing further out of the way when the draw reed vibrates.

Or you can use a pair of tweezers instead. Grip the valve lightly at the rear and draw the tweezers out to the tip, putting slight pressure in the upward direction. This will straighten out the valve, or give it an upward curve. If you go too far you can do it again with pressure in the opposite direction.

These procedures can be done while the harp's assembled, but you might prefer to disassemble first to get a better view of what you're doing.

vesuviation
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by vesuviation » Sun Jan 24, 2021 1:49 pm

After a few weeks of use I share my considerations. I tried the gasket-valves first on a Suzuki harp master in D and more recently on a Lee Oskar in C and this is what I used the most. At first the feeling was a bit strange, I heard a lot of noise especially on the lower holes, in particular when switching between draw and blow but after a while I understood two things:

1) If I had continued to focus on the noise, I would have learned the best technique to produce it ... by focusing on the music the noise has almost disappeared indeed, I would venture the hypothesis that that noise can be used to color the performance, a characteristic in short.

2) Most of the problems arise from my technical deficiency, perhaps from an indecision about the attack or a position of the mouth that is not very precise, and from this point of view it is also an opportunity to learn.
So... still not perfect, sometimes buzz, specially low hole if I play softly, but this is the way, wait for improvement.

At the moment I like the result, I'm waiting to receive other sets to do other tests. I enclose a small recording I made today, I'm trying to practice bending in tune, I know the road is still long but I'm having fun.

Thanks for your work

Gigi AKA Vesuviation
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triona
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by triona » Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:40 pm

Hi Gigi, (are you Italian?)

Very interesting sound. Sounds similar to a trumpet. Did you use any electronical effects? I think that sounded nearly perfect. The two nasty squeals seem not to be caused by the valves. The accuracy of tones and avoiding of jarring notes will improve with further practice. I could not realize any of the typical valve noise.


dear greetings
triona
Aw, Thou beloved, do hearken to the Banshee's lonely croon!
sinn féin - ça ira !
Cad é sin do'n té sin nach mbaineann sin dó


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1yI3H ... 9ktgzTR2qg

vesuviation
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Re: Introducing the GASKET-VALVE System

Post by vesuviation » Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:22 pm

triona wrote:
Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:40 pm
Hi Gigi, (are you Italian?)
Hi, Thanks, yes, I'm from Italy
Very interesting sound. Sounds similar to a trumpet. Did you use any electronical effects? I think that sounded nearly perfect. The two nasty squeals seem not to be caused by the valves. The accuracy of tones and avoiding of jarring notes will improve with further practice. I could not realize any of the typical valve noise.
I'm using a cheap Moer amp-simulator with a small china lavalier mic

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