Re: Comb Material [revisited]

["Rupert Oysler" <orupert@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Vince,

I found results similar to yours through several years of very
non-scientific, subjective observation. This caused me to want to market a
clear acrylic comb (the intro to my repair videos features a 364 on a clear
comb to show the reed action of both blow and draw reeds while actually
playing).  I just couldn't get the front end capital together for CNC
machining, and "mechanical" machining was just not producing reliable
results.

Winslow Yerxa makes a beautiful clear acrylic comb for his Discrete Comb
(tm), and rumor has it that he is venturing into offering similar precise
models for Hohner MS and Marine Band plates. I sure hope so!

Rupert Oysler
http://www.harprepair.com/
- ----- Original Message -----
From: <vince@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 4:41 AM
Subject: Comb Material [revisited]


>
> 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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