RE: Comb Material [revisited]

[Douglas Tate <dougtate@xxxxxxxxx>]

At 19:02 03/02/2003 -0500, jross38 wrote:
Hi JR!

First, thanks for the nice things you have said about the Renaissance that 
Bobbie and I make.

>For the record, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Doug Tate,
>Bobbie G and Ilus harmonicas, and none of my comments were directed at
>them.  The Renaissance is the finest chromatic harmonica I have ever
>played and a true thing of beauty.  Personally I think it would sound
>every bit as good if it had a plastic, wood or whatever (lighter
>weight:) comb made to the same exacting specifications and level of
>detail as the stainless steel one currently used.

I really wish we could try it!   It would be interesting to find out if we 
were wrong in our private thoughts about what materials do to 
sound.   Unfortunately a different material in this particular instrument 
would mean a considerable redesign of the comb itself for it to hold 
together :))

>However, I don't  really care either way, and if Doug, Bobbie and others 
>want to believe
>that it sounds better with a steel comb than something else, that's fine 
>by me.

Realising that you are using this as an example I think it might be amusing 
to point out that in our extensive advertising of the Renny the ONLY thing 
we say about the comb material is that it is durable!!!  Nowhere do we 
intimate that it influences the sound
=================
A stunning all new, twelve-hole, three octave chromatic instrument, 
developed from revolutionary concepts in harmonica design, which give it 
exceptional reliability, responsiveness, and durability, as well as 
innovative and ergonomic features providing modern, sleek looks, remarkable 
playing comfort, ease of maintenance, and  an enormous dynamic and tonal 
range, making it extremely versatile for all types of music.
=================
* Tone is robust and full,
=================

There....!!!   That's all we claim 'cos we can't and don't particularly 
WANT to claim something which at best , seems to be a personal observation 
(albeit a very powerful influence in my own playing)

>  Now, if they want to convince me that it sounds better (or just
>different) or state for a definitive fact with no caveats (ie, I
>believe, or simply IMO--or even IME) that comb material makes a
>difference in sound then I'll ask for some proof of that claim.

Quite right...

Let me posit a situation.
At the moment...   the thrust of the argument is... YOU prove it to ME.

What about turning the whole thing round  and asking a doubter who is also 
a very good player  to try a set of different material harmonicas and see 
if a difference was noticed after playing each for a few minutes.
Of course... nobody would believe them, even if my friend Vern suddenly 
became a convert as a result :))

I DO believe that an oscilloscope will show  differences and Mike Curtis 
seems to have noticed this... however, those differences may not be 
'hearable' by others.

Much has been said about air being directed at holes in harmonicas from 
sophisticated  blower systems...  I blow warm moist air into the 
instrument... shouldn't that be taken into account too??

I still find this debate fascinating... it would be wonderful to come up 
with a definitive proof either way.   But with even Vern saying ' there may 
be an influence but it will be too low to hear' then I think we are in for 
a long ride.    :)

Douglas Tate
Partner with Bobbie Giordano
ILUS Harmonicas