Buy and Self-Construction of Spiral Harmonicas

Acquisition of a Spiral Harmonica

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If you want your own spiral harmonica, you can order the plates from → Michael Timler von Hohner.

Until the end of 2010 I recommended the Harponline Service System to tune and repair your harps or change the layout. Regrettably Harponline closed by now. Harponline also was the only place I knew where you could order single reeds. I hope that the → Hohner CSHOP will come up with a comparable system soon - so watch the CSHOP.

Scheme of Retuning

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	Scheme of Retuning
Spiral	G3	B3	D4	F4	A4	C5	E5	G5	B5	D6
↑	+1	+1	+1				-0,5	-1	-0,5	-1,5
Richter	F3	A3	C4	F4	A4	C5	F5	A5	C6	F6
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Richter	G3	C4	E4	G4	Bb4	D5	E5	G5	Bb5	D6
↓	+1				+0,5		+0,5	+1	+1	+1
Spiral	A3	C4	E4	G4	B4	D5	F5	A5	C6	E6

The scheme describes the retuning of a Richter harp in F low (named after hole 1 blow) into a spiral standard in A natural minor (named after hole 1 draw).

The scheme is applicable on all keys:

The retuning of holes 1,2,3 blow and 1 draw is no problem, and the half step changes in holes 5 and 7 are easy to tune as well. The 6 highest reeds should be replaced though because otherwise the reed material gets too weak and breaks easily.

The expenditure of time of such a retuning and reed changing with the right tools is about 2 hours.

Example for reeds attached with screws and nuts done the Harponline Service System way:

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