[Harp-L] MB vs MB Deluxe

[Dina Janzen <dlj@xxxxxx>]

Here are my observations based on a comparison of recently a purchased 
brand new stock MB and MBDL in the key of A.

I normally use S20's and tweak them myself by opening the back of the 
cover plates, burnishing, arcing reeds, gapping and smoothing the 
corners of the comb.  My goal is decent playability.  I have not played 
a high quality custom harp.

Physically-  Compared to the MB, the MBDL has smoothed tines (?) of the 
comb and a thicker and smoother comb finish.  The front edge of the 
reed plates extend less far past the comb and the  reed plate edges are 
smoothed.  The cover plate material appears somewhat thicker and the 
plates are opened in the back.   Fasteners are screws, not nails.  The 
reed plates, reeds and tuning marks appear identical to the MB, though 
the MBDL had closer and more consistent gapping.

There was a big difference in playing characteristics.  I found the MB 
to be unpleasant to play because of air leak.  The MBDL was responsive, 
smoother, more consistent up and down the comb, easily bent and 
agreeably tuned.    The MBDL played better than the S20s I tweak 
myself, though the S20 was slightly louder.   I found the reedplate 
corners of the MBDL were a bit sharp and filed them.   Otherwise, I am 
not inclined to make any changes.

I worked on the MB by burnishing, arcing and gapping the draw reeds and 
gapping the blow reeds as well as I could without removing the reed 
plates from the comb.  I also opened the back of the cover plates.  
This improved the MB greatly, but it was still not as good as the MBDL. 
 Also, I found the MBDL playing surfaces to be more comfortable.

To me, there were important differences between the MD and MBDL, though 
I may have had an unusually bad example of a MB.  The MBDL also played 
better than the stock and my tweaked S20.  Not withstanding price, I 
would switch to the MBDL.  But..... I'll stick with my self-tweaked S20 
unless the MBDL price comes down.

Jim R