Re: [Harp-L] plastic comb vs wood ?

["Robert" <harmonicaman1968@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I use plastic combed harps. I used to use Marine Bands, back in the day, but 
when I used to soak the harp to make it sound better, the wooden "tines" of 
the comb would swell, tending to lead to sore lips during agressive play. 
Then, I would try trimming the comb while it was swollen, but when it dried 
out and shrunk again, the comb faces became "recessed" a bit behind the edge 
of the reedplates, so it would become somewhat unplayable. I ruined a few 
harps that way.

Due to the above, I prefer plastic combs, or a customized harp with a sealed 
wooden comb. Some brands of harp also use wooden combs, sealed from the 
factory.

Some customizers will take your wooden combed harp (Marine Band?) apart and 
coat the wood with beeswax or some other suitable substance. Don't do this 
yourself, as it can lead to severe burns, if not done carefully.

Soaking the harp (and then shaking out the excess moisture) just previous to 
playing it  does help a bit to seal some of the air leakage that is apparent 
in most stock harps. Narrowing the reed slot also accomplishes this, if 
you're handy with tools. Do a search in the archives and you'll find a lot 
of info on making your harp less "leaky".

Your harp will naturally get "moist" after playing it for a while (ten 
minutes?), due to the moisture in your breath and saliva. This always makes 
it sound better, as it lessens air leakage.

When I'm out and around, I tend not to drink much besides water, since 
alcohol dries out my mouth. I do get free whisky's though, for playing 
backup on other people's karaoke.

Some people also use microtape (surgical tape) to reduce air leakage.

The debate about whether wooden or plastic combs sound different goes on and 
on, in perpetuity.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fran_3" <mailbox0600@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, June 08, 2013 4:28 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] plastic comb vs wood ?


The honer specal 20 and ms have wooden combs... right?

Can you replace them with a plastic comb?

And, I'd like to hear your thoughts and comments about plastic vs wood.

The concern to me would be maintainability... how many times can you take 
the nails or screws out of a wood comb harmonica before it just doesn't go 
back to gether any more? Or is this really an issue?

Regarding tone... years ago some soaked wooden comb harps before playing... 
but I think that has been de-bunked... or has it?

Wooden or Plastic? Whadda ya say?