Replacing the Weighted Reed

This modification is specifically aimed at the blow reeds that have a small weight at the tip, usually only hole 1. For playing the hole 1 overblow you need to be able to stop the blowreed from vibrating. The blowreed in hole 1 usually has a weighted tip that makes it difficult to stop this reed. In theory you could grind down the tip of the reed and then tune the reed back down to the right pitch, but a much easier way is to just replace the reed by a reed from a high pitched harp. This reed can then be tuned down by removing material from the base of the reed to get it to the right pitch.
There is one problem with this method, the new reed will be very flexible and is very likely to hit the opposing reed plate when it is played with any force. This will happen on playing the normal blow note and also when playing the  hole 1 drawbend.

Since I have never used this procedure myself I have not made a video of it. However I do replace reeds from time to time so the following video shows you how to replace a reed. Although the video uses some specialized equipment this can be done with just a hammer and an awl as long as have a good surface with room for the rivet to move.