Harrison Harmonicas

Harmonica Science

Utilizing advanced technologies, matched with Harrison's patent-pending processes; we are now manufacturing harmonicas with the following qualities right out of the box!

Remarkably bigger, fatter tone
RRS - Replaceable Reed System
Ergonomic designs
A dramatic increase in volume
Smooth intonation and response
Precision tuning
Extreme longevity
Effortlessly overblows & overdraws

Harrison has performed many tests on all of the current harmonica manufacturers reeds. This has included full chemical analysis, tensile strength tests and analysis of the properties of brass on a molecular level. This has given Harrison an unmatched level of understanding on just how a harmonica reed performs under many different stress cycles.

We have employed modern, hi-tech measurement devices including a scanning electron microscope and a metallurgical-metallographic epi microscope (capable of illumination up to 1000X magnification) The photos below taken with these precision devices.

(WARNING: If one were to stare too long and hard at these close-ups of harmonica reeds they run risk of seeing Jason Ricci in his latest hair configuration.)

500X
Pre War Sample Reed

This pre war sample reed was chemically cleaned and etched. This photo is of the core of the reed. The microstructure at the surface consists of similar alpha and beta, which is similar to the core. Note the elongated grains in cold working.

200X
Reed Fracture

Here is a fractured reed that failed from fatigue, (a progressive failure mode where a crack initiates, then propagates over time with each cycle of stress.) The crack initiated at the .009" thick section, which is at the base of transmission from the .012" thick square base section. The crack appeared to be associated with the transverse machining marks and localized deformation, which provided easier sites for fatigue crack initiation.

The photos below are taken using 200X magnification. Notice the uniqueness of each reed and its origin.

200X
A leading Japanese reed

200X
A leading German reed

200X
Another Japanese company’s reed

200X
A Brazilian company’s reed

200X
A Chinese company’s reed

200X
Another German company’s reed

Harmonica Science

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