Comb Material [revisited]

[<vince@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here I go again. I will grit my teeth and hope this goes smooth... (I'm
hanging on, lol)

I would like to know what REAL research has been done on the difference in
comb material (if any). I'm aware that this was tested somehow in the past
but am very concerned. Most importantly, how was this testing done?

I'm wondering cause I sat down in Memphis w/ friend and harp customizer Tim
Northcutt this weekend. After a few hours of him giving me lesson on first
position we studied comb material. Tim had 4 harps there - a Special 20
(plastic comb), Marine Band (pear wood comb), Special 20 (synthetic marble
comb) and a Marine Band (machined acrylic comb). All harps were the same
key. After playing the exact same single sound on each harp we learned that
they all still sounded much alike but the fullness in sound was different w/
each comb. To note that the order of the fullest sound from fullest to
thinnest was just like this

1- Clear Acrylic Comb- Man this comb makes a difference (go ahead and
disagree)

2- Wood Comb- Just a tinny bit fuller than the plastic, but thinner than the
acrylic comb

3- Plastic- very close to the synth marble, maybe a little thinner than the
MB - Note: This harp o course has SP 20 plates so that may be different
itself)

4- Synth Marble- was really good and not far from the plastic

I know I'm going to get a lot of people to disagree (cause of past studies).
I will admit I had a beer or two that night but I will honestly tell you
"I'M NOT DEAF, I KNOW WHAT I HEAR". I noticed a difference in the sound
coming from each harp when nothing was different other than the combs.
Though I agree w/ Tim that the covers make a lot more difference than the
comb but who is honestly saying that they can't hear a bit of difference?
Was any of the past tests done by ear or digital?


PS: If only the price of Clear Acrylic would go down, lol. These things
ROCK!!!


Vince Cheney

The Blues Site - http://thebluessite.com
Winemaker's World - http://winemakersworld.com


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