Re: Hering 1923

["G." <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Ben Bouman <FITGO@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: G. <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 3:03 AM
Subject: Re: Hering 1923


> Hi G
>
> Yes, the Ramos harps are wonderful to play.
8< interesting details on Ramos

> Do you (or anyone else) know if it's possible to use the urethane after
> the comb is treated with bees wax? (Tony's harp are waxed just a few
> seconds).

I couldn't say for sure, but I doubt its a good idea.   My suggestion to you
is that if your Ramo's wood combs are swelling, is to go back to Tony and
ask him about it.   They look really beautiful.   I was equally impressed
with the cosmetics of Neil Graham and Richard Sleigh's hand crafted wood
combs.  I haven't played either enough to comment on warping or swelling -
none so far.

> Paul Orta told me that he uses Ramos harps and they come very close to
> Filisko's.. I played a Filisko(built 3 or 4 years ago) and at this moment
I
> would prefer the Ramos harp.

Something I've learnt is a person's preference for one harmonica over
another has a lot to do with the way the reeds are setup.   Customisers
certainly have their work cut out for them when first time customers order
from them as theres a certain amount of guess work as to what their
preference is, even after asking.   If you find a customiser you are
impressed with, you may be able to get even better by communicating about
how you found the first harp's response and what changes you'd prefer - even
if very slight.

> The price of Ramos harp is 110 euros( $120) ,

I take it this includes setup for overblows?

> of course you can send your  harps back to him for
> tuning /service/changing reeds etc. his site adress:
> www.ramoshandmadeharmonicas.de

Thank you.

> The result of his embossing is that the tone gets a little brighter, I
think
> this was discussed a while ago on harptalk/harp-L??

Yes, I was going to ask about that after the comments on his tolerances.

> I have the same experience with my harps, they all sound brighter after
> embossing but also a bit louder.

I've found theres a happy medium between brightness and response with reed
adjustment.  I've had a Marine Band that out did any other harmonica I've
played in terms of cutting brightness.

> The hering harps are soaked in parafine oil, I read this in an
> email(brochure) from Alberto.

This is what I addressed in BBQ Bob's email.  I'm quite surprised they'd be
using paraffin ~oil~ which has some less than pleasant effects listed in the
MSDS sheets I've read on it, and whilst paraffin ~liquid~ ("internal
lubricant", and they don't mean chromatic harmonica slides) is relatively
safe I'm not sure about its use as a sealant... unless intended as a gasket,
but that not the impression I've been getting from group emails here.

> When you look at the comb it looks like
> they also use some kind of laquer? But iw works perfectly (for me...).
> Soem harps have a "strange" taste, I'm not sure if this is due to the
> parafine or the laquer?

I don't know.
I think its best to approach the people who make them about it.
Treated or sealed wood combs can have a "strange" aftertaste for a while
after treatment - what the "strange" aftertaste is like is dependant on what
was done to it I guess?

> kind regards, Ben Bouman
> Holland
> www.marbletones.com

Best
G.