ALTERNATIVE 1:
Seydel sells M1.4 screws and nuts as well as reeds and the tools to attach them. They also have videos on how to do the repairs.
Link:
Custom ShopSeydel has a tool for quickly and cleanly removing reeds from reedplates. It will work with Hohner harmonicas (other than the Hohner Meisterklasse model; the rivet head is too large to use this tool).
You will need a reamer in order to slightly open the rivet hole in the reed for the M1.4 screws to fit through. The M1.4 screws are slightly larger in diameter than the rivets. You do not want to thread the hole in the reed. If you do, the reed will tend to twist as you tighten it, which is not desirable.
You have three choices for attaching using the M1.4 screws. (1) You can tap the reedplate itself for the screw, without using a nut; (2) you can tap the reedplate and use a nut; or (3) you can make the reedplate hole slightly larger (so that the screw fits smoothly through and use a nut. My personal preference is to use (1). If (for some reason, like I messed up the threads), I have also used (2). For ME, it's too much work (enlarging the reedplate hole) to use (3).
Seydel sells stainless steel reeds for both chromatic and diatonic harmonicas - $6 USD for 3 reeds. Use the Seydel Harp Configurator to determine which reed to purchase. Since you didn't specify the harmonica type (chromatic or diatonic), choose a Seydel model that is similar to your Hohner harmonica. For instance a Hohner 280 and a Seydel Deluxe Chromatic are similar instruments. Use that similar model to find the appropriate replacement reed.
You can use Seydel reeds on a Hohner harmonica; the reed geometry is very close. The Seydel reeds are stainless steel, which have longer lifetimes than Hohner reeds. (I won't argue how much longer.) The sound is the same, so you won't have any difference.
You may have to slightly modify the reed geometry (length and/or width) to get a snug fit to the reed slot. An alternative is to modify the reedplate slot geometry.
I have successfully used Seydel reeds in several different manufacturers harmonicas.
ALTERNATIVE 2:
Find a similar reed on a junk harmonica of the same make and model - one that you have no intention of getting into working condition. (You can sometimes find these junkers on eBay or other harmonica forums.) You will need a tool for popping the rivet off of the reedplate and out of that reed. If you are masochistic, you can leave the rivet in the reed, and then attempt to tap it into the reedplate to be repaired. Expert technicians do this on a regular basis. I'm not one of those people. Otherwise, once the donor reed has been obtained, you can switch back to Alternative 1 for attaching the reed.
ALTERNATIVE 3:
If you have a junker but the same reed (same slot and pitch) is not available, then a slightly longer reed (lower in pitch) can be substituted. Use a pair of very sharp scissors to cut the reed length to match the required length. (Place the longer reed under the to-be-replaced reed [which has already been removed from its reedplate] and snip off the excess. Make sure that the attachment ends are matched as closely as possible. Sticking a toothpick or other round tool like a drill bit will help align the two reeds.) Attach the donor reed and then retune the reed UP in pitch to match the required pitch.
Given that your moniker is Darius
ENGINEER, I presume you have the requisite technical skills to know what tools you will need and how to use them. If not, find a good repair technician and send the harmonicas to them to be repaired. There are several outstanding technicians here on SlideMeister.
Good luck!Crazy (enough to have gained the requisite repair skills attending the "school of hard Knocks") Bob
