Re: Tuned Metal Bodies

[Michael Carley <mjcarley@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> very different in tone and volume.  What I see as the major potential in 
> this idea (Yeah, like I know what I'm talking about), is the idea of 
> using a denser, harder material.  Sound travels through granite at 
> speeds, which other than eluding me at the moment, far exceed sound waves 
> in air, I would surmise that a harp made of metal (if I had _any_ extra $ I 
> would have played a Meisterklasse) would get more reverberation, and more 
> harmonics, thicker tone, etc...  I bought a $2 harmonica at a local fair 
> as a novelty item (and it sure is), and the body seems to be made from 
> some wood like balsa or bass, very light.  The tone produced is clean, 
> very clean, and lacking in any warmth.  Another prospect I see is 
> designing the harp with different prongs of different structure, each of 
> which would be meant to capture different frequencies, and amplify them.  
> Sure the body has a resonant frequency, but every dimension _within_ the 
> body also contributes.  This is getting complicated.  I have no idea of 
> what calculations would be needed to figure this out.  I think I'll stop 
> flapping my lips and wait for either a review from Winslow or some other 
> "beta tester" (I hereby volunteer), or till Kevins or Farell carry it.

That's a real toughie. You're either looking at a strange shape of harp or
a composite (a "sandwich" material). In theory, you could make each prong
of the comb from a tuned slab so that it resonated with the reeds in the
adjacent hole. The problem is that the vibration of the whole body then
becomes very complicated (although it can be calculated). 

If you really wanted to build a genuinely tuned harp (sucker) the only
real way I can think of is to put a resonator on each reed. Probably the
easiest thing would be to extend the comb and drill it out in a clever
fashion (the calculations are quite simple) so that the resonant elements
were on the back of the harp (or maybe inside the prongs of the comb?). 
This would be a genuinely acoustic method and could be easily set up
for any key of harp (if you had the time and the patience). 

-- 
Ahmet Ertegun introduced the former secretary of state to 'my friend' 
Wilson Pickett, then on probation for taking a loaded shotgun into a
bar
	'Henry Kissinger, my man,' said Pickett, hugging him.
	'Mr Pickett, a pleasure,' said Kissinger.
m.carley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mjcarley@xxxxxxxxxxx