RE: [Harp-L] Comb material

["Eric Neumann" <eneumann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In the spirit of reviving old harp-l topics... I am sure Bob Dylan uses
wooden combed harps... so that may prove it makes no improvement to
tone, and there goes my theory.

And to further beat this down... "the answer my friend, is blowin in the
wind..."

>-----Original Message-----
>From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx 
>[mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe and Cass Leone
>Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 1:09 PM
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Comb material
>
>
>
>On Mar 31, 2005, at 11:47 AM, Eric Neumann wrote:
>
>> yeah, I believe that bet will go unclaimed. For me - using different 
>> comb materials is basically because I know that the 
>difference in tone 
>> is all in my head. Literally. So, for me a controlled test would not 
>> be possible to disclaim my personal belief.
>>
>> Cham Ber Huang did quite a bit of research in the 60's, I 
>believe. He 
>> and his brother worked feverishly trying to unlock the 
>secrets of the 
>> comb material question too. There's lots to consider in comb design 
>> and material.
>>
>> Ultimately, when controlled tests, or blindfold tests are done - it 
>> seems no person alive can tell the difference... but I 
>reitterate, to 
>> me, I feel wood has a warmer sound than plastic, metals are 
>brighter. 
>> The problem there is that I am not using controls. So, all the tonal 
>> effect to me is just in my head - and I am fine with that. =)
>>
>>
>
>  Well, I believe that Vern is correct (to a point) and the bet should 
>be safe. No, the listener will NOT hear a difference. BUT, the player 
>WILL. I (personally) feel that beings that metal is NOT an insulator 
>and that wood and plastic ARE, I can feel the vibrations of a solid 
>metal harmonica through my skull and in turn this winds up in my INNER 
>ears (which I am not inclined to remove from my skull at the present 
>time). Ergo: your statement about it being all in your head is closer 
>to the truth than you think   :)
>smokey-joe
>
>p.s. Just spent a (Rare) session in the garage with 4 harmonicas, to 
>wit:
>1.......Hohner 270    Circassian Walnut (stock) wood comb 
>........sound 
>= mellow
>2.......Hering 48       Bubinga Wood (stock) wood comb         
>         
>        = mellow
>3.......Hohner 270    Walnut (stock) wood comb                 
>         
>            = mellow
>4.......Hering 48       Pourous Bronze (custom)                
>         
>               = biting.....no, piercing
>
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