Re: [Harp-L] Combs...

[Steve Webb <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Larry... I have a custom wood comb for SP20 but I haven't taken the time to install it. I guess that is next. I have some custom SP 20s that play really well, especially one from Mike Fugazzi. I have focused on reeds up to now.
SteveWebb on Minn.

Sent from my iPad

On Aug 2, 2012, at 9:45 PM, Larry Sandy <slyou65@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Steve, I was reallyyyyyy -pleasantly- surprised as you were but it's true in this case.  They're not perfect but really good.  I play much more expensive harmonicas and only used these reed plates because my late brother left them to me.  They are a NOS  Low F reed plate set.  I had a seldom used older, but still good Big River in Low F which I used in order to make a fair comparison.  I flattened the blow reed plate and applied lip balm to "insure" airtightness.  It plays with very little pressure/vacuum at very low volume and it will play very loudly as well.  I don't get it.... except that the plates are MS replacements and (I believe) that is in the same family as Hohner Meisterklasse diatonics.  Hopefully a more knowledgeable tech will jump in to explain how this works.    I hope to purchase some Hetrick combs for further experimentation... perhaps for my PT Gazell half valved Session Steels.  Stay tuned for further developments.  I'm learning some good stuff.
> 
> Larry
> 
> From: Steve Webb <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: Harp-L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
> Sent: Thursday, August 2, 2012 9:26 PM
> Subject: [Harp-L] Combs...
> 
> Do custom combs really make that much difference? I can't imagine a Big River that would overblow, let alone overdraw.
> Of course, I am mostly a SP20 player and haven't really experimented with combs..
> Steve Webb in Minn.
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Aug 2, 2012, at 7:11 PM, Larry Sandy <slyou65@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > Yes, all these suggestions are good advice.  I've learned a lot from many web sources and a few fellow harpers.  I also choose to take advantage of some Harp-L experts' services with perhaps lofty expectations on a few select favorites.  This week I purchased an MS brass comb, onto which I flattened and installed new Big River reed plates ( because I already had a set).  I compared it to an identical factory sample and it blew the factory unit away.  Let me tell you that this harp is exceeding my expectations a great deal.  It overblows, overdraws and plays very easily- both quietly and loud.  Next I will be doing a little reed tweaking and make a nice spalted oak cover just because.  I'll be buying more great combs real soon!
> > 
> >  Keep learning and improving, Javier, and soon you will become an expert.
> > 
> > Lockjaw Larry
> > Breathing Music daily
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ________________________________
> > From: Rick Dempster <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: Robert Rowe <robertrowe2@xxxxxxx> 
> > Cc: Harp-L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>; "javier.dardon@xxxxxxxxx" <javier.dardon@xxxxxxxxx> 
> > Sent: Thursday, August 2, 2012 7:38 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Oberblow beginner
> > 
> > All good advice no doubt. But even the best custom will play up at some
> > stage, so it's always best, gradually at least, to learn to work on the
> > reeds yourself. There is certainly enough info. around these days to make
> > giving it a go not that hard. My 'pocket' harp is always one I've tweaked
> > myself, and is forever a work in progress. For all it's shortcomings, it's
> > always closer to what I want than any customiser can do.
> > RD
> > 
> > On 3 August 2012 02:56, Robert Rowe <robertrowe2@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> > 
> >> You really need to get someone like Mike Fugazzi to tweak your harp so
> >> that it overblows and overdraws well without sticking. Alternatively, you
> >> can buy a Suzuki Firebreath which works right out of the box. I have a G
> >> that I've never played, and I had never even attempted an overblow, and I
> >> overblew 4 on the very first try. 5 and 6 worked first time too, as did
> >> overdrawing 7 and 8. I got the Peterson out and checked the pitch, and I
> >> was pretty darned close for an absolute beginner.
> >> 
> >> Full of myself, and wondering what all the fuss was about, I tried the
> >> same techniques on my G Crossover. I got everything from a windy zero to
> >> barely catching the slightest instance of a pitch shift. Clearly, my
> >> success with the Firebreath was due entirely to the harp's design.
> >> 
> >> I got my Firebreath from Ron Hobdy at rockinronsmusic4less.com. There's
> >> also a Pureharp Suzuki with the same comb and reed plates, but with solid
> >> rosewood covers that allegedly deepen the already dark tone of the
> >> Firebreath.
> >> 
> >> If you have the patience, the best customizers in the world are right here
> >> on this list.
> >> 
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >> 
> >> On Aug 2, 2012, at 12:23 PM, Javier DardÃn <javier.dardon@xxxxxxxxx>
> >> wrote:
> >> 
> >>> Friends, I'm an overblow beginner, by the moment I'm overblowing on
> >> holes 1 and 4 of a C Lee Oskar, but sometimes the blow reed get stuck after
> >> the oberblow, so I can't immediately blow after the overblow. Any idea?
> >>> 
> >>> Any help will be welcome.
> >>> Regards
> >>> Javier DardÃn
> >>> Javier DardÃn
> >>> 
> >> 
> >> 
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
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