Re: [Harp-L] Painted vs. Shiny (unpainted) coverplates




I have swapped covers, putting black covers from an old Pro Harp on an old Special 20 and, yes, the Special 20 sounds darker and warmer (to my ear) with the painted Pro Harp covers on it. However, some players claim to hear no difference between these two harmonicas in the first place, When i have time, I'll try it with the Suzukis and let you what i think.
JP


Jun 24, 2008, at 8:19 AM, john wrote:

Back in the days of hot dispute about the effect of comb material (e.g., wood vs.
plastic) on tone, it was easy to find assertions by harmonica manufacturers that
the material of a particular harmonica's comb was important. I wouldn't put too
much stock in what the customer service rep told you, nor even in your own
ears comparing the Promaster and Hammond. A better test would be to swap
the covers onto the same (Promaster or Hammond) harmonica and then see if
the difference can be detected by a dozen or so listeners who can't see which
covers are mounted.
Regards,
John Thaden


====== On 2008-06-23 at 23:16:58, John Potts wrote: =======
	The effect that painted cover plates have on the tone of a diatonic
harmonica is an overlooked topic.
8<snip>8
	[T]his year, I bought a couple of Suzuki Hammonds (which have
black painted covers) primarily because I just liked the way they
looked.  Surprise! The tone was darker, warmer and fatter than the
Promasters.  I asked Oz Leguizamo at Suzuki customer service about
this.  Oz  told me that the Promasters and the Hammonds are made to
identical specifications, but because the Hammonds have painted cover
plates, the tone is darker.  When I asked Antony Danecker what effect
painted cover plates have on tone, he essentially confirmed what Oz
had told me.
	Painted vs, unpainted cover plates is not a topic that had received
much attention, but I, for one, have a definite and long standing
preference for painted covers.  Now I  pay more to get  Hammonds,
just like I used to pay extra to get Pro Harps.  There is a subtle,
but definite, difference in tone when a harp has painted cover
plates. Sometimes, I used to wonder if it was just my imagination.
But now, after talking to Oz and Antony, my belief  has been
validated. 	
8<snip>8
JP






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