Buffer material for ACE and Performance 64 Hohner line?

[Wendellfiddler]

It's thicker and wider than the buffers for everything else - suzukis, seydels and other hohners.  I found  at least 3 lifetimes supply of tubing that works great for most chromatics but the stock I've tried from Amazon listed as 4mm OD x 2mm ID is too large for the performance series hohners - listed as 4mm but actually larger..  Anyone found something that works and if so what does it measure and/or how is it described?

Doug Tanner

[Age]

I like the "thick material" idea. I personally prefer the thickest material I can use, and always cut them just short enough to where they don't begin to compress when they comes in contact with the inside of the mouthpiece. That can tend to bind stuff up and even cause them to wear out sooner.  While Chromatic players tend to complain and dwell on windsavers, those bumpers, while often overlooked and discounted, are actually critically important. They keep everything smooth, quiet and even help with critical alignment. Over the years, I've heard a few dumb guys (and bad players ) say that they don't even use them.

[Wendellfiddler]

Well, I lost one of the buffers on my ACE.  After shopping around a few months ago, anticipating the day that one of the guys would run off, I found some tubing that is 75% of the way there, but not exactly like the O riginal specs.  what I have is the right ID but a little smaller OD.  Better than the other way around, but still wondering if anyone has found a perfect match somewhere?  The ACE buffers are the same dimension as all of the other performance models, i.e., the 64X and Super 64 performance. 

doug tanner

[John Broecker]

Many decades ago, I bought 1 yard of vinyl
surgical tubing at a local hardware store,
with the proper OD (outer diameter) and
ID (inner hole diameter). 

I had measured the bumper tubing from
a Hohner #270, before the purchase. The
tubing measurements have worked on all
of my Hohner slide harps and other brands. 

I still have most of the 1 yard of tubing.
Being of Irish descent, I've always loved
tubers (potatoes). 

Best Regards, Stay Healthy

JB

[Wendellfiddler]

Yes, John.  I have yards of Suzuki/hohner/Seydel buffer stock.  The buffers on the Hohner performance series harps is thicker and softer.  They wouldn't fit on the other harps mentioned.  Am I the only person who has noticed this?  OCD me....

doug tanner

[John Broecker]

Hello, Doug.

Thanks for your correction.

Best Regards, Stay Buffered (Bumpered).

JB

[blowharp]

Some buffer material is made from neoprene and dense plastic while the more recent and better material is silicone. I bought a 100 ft roll several years ago and use it for all servicing on all models. I don't know the gauge specs as the info wasn't on the plastic bag it came in.  Plastic comb harps will use a shorter cut of tubing than wood comb models. You need to keep in mind how long you cut the piece because if it's a hair too long it will smash outward when the mouthpiece is screwed back on leaving you with a slide that binds.

Mike
still working on getting my website back up.

[Age]

Some buffer material is made from neoprene and dense plastic while the more recent and better material is silicone. I bought a 100 ft roll several years ago and use it for all servicing on all models. I don't know the gauge specs as the info wasn't on the plastic bag it came in.  Plastic comb harps will use a shorter cut of tubing than wood comb models. You need to keep in mind how long you cut the piece because if it's a hair too long it will smash outward when the mouthpiece is screwed back on leaving you with a slide that binds.

Mike
still working on getting my website back up.

Yep! Don't be stingy (or lazy) Be ready to cut another one, till you get the "perfect" size. (You won't be sorry) You want the tightened mouthpiece to just barely compress the buffers. Too loose and they'll actually wear out sooner, too tight and they'll bind.

[Wendellfiddler]

FWIW, It's been a while but I did finally find tubing that matches close enough the buffer stock for the hohner performance series - which as I said, is thicker and wider than other Hohner and Suzuki buffer stock.  I'm always cutting pieces off the tubing they use in hospitals to hook me up to fluids, etc.  Got a piece that matches but have no idea if I will ever see that particular diameter again....

doug tanner

[Age]

I change buffers more than windsavers

[Age]

I take mine apart about once a month anyway just to clean the slide assembly, so while I'm in there I've learned to always check the bumpers. I was surprised to see how often they can really use a replacement, so I always check them for cuts, compressing and "hardening." You may be surprised how fragile they can be. A properly fitted, (see post) new set can be a real eye opener.

[Gnarly He Man]

The ones for the 270 seldom need replacement.
Suzukis go fast!

[Age]

The ones for the 270 seldom need replacement.
Suzukis go fast!

Yeah, but they still tend to get hard (at least in my experience)

[Ed McCullough]

A couple of you guys wrote that you had found tubing that works marvelously well as bumpers for a certain harmonicas. Can you please tell me names of suppliers and exact model names of the tubing, so I can buy some of my own. I want tubing to make buffers for the Hohner Super 64 harmonicas and the Hohner Performance harmonicas. Can you tell us this information?

[Age]

The stuff I got from Wally is supposed to be surgical tubing. Works great!

[Ed McCullough]

There must be more than one manufacturer of surgical tubing, and each manufacturer must have a number of sizes.
I've tried grabbing up pieces of discarded tubing when I visited people in the hospital rooms, but have not yet hit the magical piece of tubing for my harmonicas.
-Can you ask Wally to give you some name or specifications for the tubing you're talking about?

[Age]

I sorta gave up on Wally; he's like a like ghost. The only one who he ever talks to anymore is Danny G.

[Gnarly He Man]

I sorta gave up on Wally; he's like a like ghost. The only one who he ever talks to anymore is Danny G.

I spoke with Wally a few months ago, he is enjoying his retirement.
Great guy, great player, and a great resource to the harmonica community.

[Age]

I sorta gave up on Wally; he's like a like ghost. The only one who he ever talks to anymore is Danny G.

I spoke with Wally a few months ago, he is enjoying his retirement.
Great guy, great player, and a great resource to the harmonica community.

Well, I'm glad he still likes you anyway.

[Gnarly He Man]

I sorta gave up on Wally; he's like a like ghost. The only one who he ever talks to anymore is Danny G.

I spoke with Wally a few months ago, he is enjoying his retirement.
Great guy, great player, and a great resource to the harmonica community.

Well, I'm glad he still likes you anyway.

Mutual admiration society 😝

[Ed McCullough]

Gnarly,
You have your hands in harmonica resuscitation and maintenance. Do you have specific recommendations for buffer material for Hohner Super 64 and for Hohner Performance harmonicas?

[Gnarly He Man]

No, but I notice they are different.
I bet the Hohner Cshop sells them.
Have you tried that?
https://www.hohner.de/en/service/cshop

[Gnarly He Man]

I am quite happy to help with repairs, but I don’t sell parts.
Rockin’ Ron sells parts, he might be worth a shout.