RE: [Harp-L] Comb material

["Laurent \(Planet Harmonica\)" <laurent@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello

I'll let the specialists answer the comb material question ;-).
Regarding the Marine Band deLuxe price, I would tend to think that the
additional cost is more due to the better care globally given to the
instrument and to its airtightness than to the sealing of the wood comb per
se.

And there is another criteria that should not be forgotten: the look and
feel of the instrument!! Very important for me at least (I like so much my
Tim Moyer's Honeycomb that my wife is nearly jealous).

Fernando, maybe could you confirm or infirm this?

All the best

   Laurent

-----Message d'origine-----
De : harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]De la
part de Tony Renshaw
Envoyé : jeudi 31 mars 2005 11:13
À : harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Objet : [Harp-L] Comb material


Sensational comment pending:
I need convincing that there is anything in the idea that the material a
comb is made from will greatly effect the sound, as I believe the fingers
of the comb, being similar size  in sectional area compared to the voids
they create, inflexible, and simply making up the sidewalls of the sound
chambers with a slot and reed as the only escape for airflow, can have any
effect on the tone of the note. So, all you guys out there including my
very experienced teacher who believe wood is the only option, even if you
seal it in such a fashion that the timber cannot breath, please explain
yourselves at your leisure. I am a sceptic, and don't at this stage see the
point in paying double for a tricked up marine band, with all the
additional cost in a comb that, sofar, I don't see any benefit in having.
Yes, it is still wood, and guitars are still made from this material, but
to create  voids only, I simply don't get it. The statement is that "I will
never get tricked up Special 20s to sound like tricked up Marine Bands"
Standing by...................and any input greatly appreciated