Re: Re: Hello there!

[Jamie Dolan <jamiedolanchrom@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Forgot to send this to the list as well...





> Message date : Jun 23 2004, 11:11 PM
> From : "Jamie Dolan"=20
> To : "Vern Smith"=20
> Copy to :=20
> Subject : Re: Re: Hello there!
>=20
> HI there Vern:
"How many holes/reeds?"

It will be a 12 holed, three octave instrument (so 48 reeds)

"Make and model of the reedplates?"

The reedplates are Hohner 270 long-slot plates (not Hard Bopper plates)

"Any modifications and improvements to the reedplates?"

The side of each reedplate that is in contact with the comb will be filed/s=
anded flat. The front of the reedplate (that is up against the slide system=
) will also be flattened. A very small ridge will then be engraved around e=
ach slot on the side of the valve (I believe one of your inventions that Do=
uglas recommended to me). They will be plated in nickel. The reeds will the=
n be individually rivetted on by myself, and then polished and tuned (as I =
buy the reeds seperately, they are untouched by tuners, making this whole p=
rocess easier). Then either stainless steel, teflon or teflon coated stainl=
ess steel valves wil be attached. And of course all the reeds will be gappe=
d and tuned precisely.

"Do you use a stock slide assembly or do you have your own design."

I am designing my own but have yet to decide whether I get a three piece sl=
ide system especially made (though altered in design from that found on a 2=
70, fundamentally the same idea) or make the mouthpiece part of the design =
but, as the mouthpiece will be sterling silver, I have to look into the fea=
sability of this coupled with what could possibly be a titanium slider.

"If you use a stock slide, do you modify/improve it to reduce leakage?"

The only real difference between my three piece system and hohner's, is my =
parts will be thicker (so much sturdier), much more precise, and the holes =
will be as large as the channels in the comb will allow (i.e. no part of th=
e channel opening will be obscured vertically as in a 270). And the materia=
l (stainless steel or titanium).

"You have already said that you plan to use a metal comb, correct?"

Yep, stainless steel or titanium. It will be much the same design as the Me=
isterklasse comb but Isopon ramps will be added in every channel. The reaso=
n for this instead of milled metal ramps is price and this design already i=
n the milling companies computers (so again, price).

"How will it disassemble...what screws do you remove."

The reedplates and covers will be screwed down so that each side can be rem=
oved independantly of the other. The covers will either screw into the comb=
 from the same position as a normal chrom, or (though this hasn't been give=
n terrible amounts of thought) from the back of the comb, or at the side. B=
ut... just thinking about that now, that might interfere with the hole for =
the spring. Hmmm.... Anyway, the mouthpiece will screw into the comb as in =
most of chroms (i.e. 270 style).

"Do any screws go all the way through the comb to the opposite plate or to =
nuts on the other side?"

No. I like to take the things apart and this would just cause havoc.

"When will it go on sale?"

Here you may have misunderstood me. I never actually presented any idea of =
selling the thing. At the moment I am just making a harmonica for myself bu=
t... and this is a big but... if it gets a good responce in October, if it =
is given the Doug Tate 'thumbs up', if the milling company decide they can =
be bothered making the combs, if my silversmith could continue to make the =
mouthpiece and covers, if I get approval from everybody whos idea I have tw=
eaked to get an instrument that works (as at the moment I have some people =
kindly allowing me to use aspects of their design which they would probably=
, and very understandably, be a bit angry about me using for my own finacia=
l gain) and if I can find enough time and iron out all the problems I will =
find when making the first, then one day... maybe... I may make more and se=
ll them. I will make it clear that I would absolutely love to, but it is no=
t just me I must think about.

"What will be the price?"

I am hopefully making the first with a budget of about =A3800 (a Renny is =
=A32500) but this is with alot of favours. I am gettng a special price from=
 the milling company as they already have the comb design and the owner is =
a friend of my silversmith (who will be making the comb when the mills aren=
't busy, as a favour), my silversmith is charging me a different price than=
 he would someone else etc. But I am also having to buy alot of tools which=
 I wouldn't have to. Hopefully it will cost less than =A3800, but that is a=
ll I have and am prepared to spend. So, if I was to make more, with the mil=
ling probably going up to comercial prices, but not having to pay for tools=
 etc, the price could go up, or it could go down. I have really no idea!

Hope this helps

All the best
>=20
>=20

Whatever you Wanadoo
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