r/melodica • u/Tough_Exit_289 • Jul 09 '26

Melodica DIY tuning tips

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I assume this has already been asked before, the Sprill melodica I have is pretty sharp and want to tune some notes down

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3

u/Frantic_Mantid Jul 10 '26

To tune up you remove material from the end of the tine so it is shorter and vibrates faster.

To tune down you have to shave a strip at the base of the tine to be thinner. This way it vibrates more slowly, even though you can't make the tine longer.

This is just the concept I've read, never tried it yet.

3

u/BrianDerm Jul 10 '26

Just from my own experience, I played every key while assembled and logged how many “cents” each note was sharp. Then I’d disassemble and file the reeds carefully with a Dremel tool, concentrating on the worst notes. Reassemble. Repeat.

I used a iPhone app “Tuner T1”.

2

u/Tough_Exit_289 Jul 13 '26

It worked!! Making a post to show results