[Harp-L] Question for Marine Band players

["Tim Moyer - Working Man's Harps" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have a question for those of you who play unmodified Marine 
Bands.  I have noticed lately that the finish on the wooden comb is 
applied differently.  In the past, the finish was apparently applied 
before the channels were cut, so that the tips of the tines were 
finished, but not down into the channels.  Now it appears that the 
finish is applied after the channels are cut, so that while the 
insides of the channels are not specifically finished, some of the 
finishing material extends down into the channels.  I'm guessing that 
this change might be due to the way finish is applied to Marine Band 
Deluxe combs.

My question is, have you noticed newer Marine Bands being less 
suceptible to swelling than older ones?  I would think that this 
"overspray" would afford some protection for the wood.  I'm wondering 
how significant it is.

-tim

Tim Moyer
Working Man's Harps
http://www.workingmansharps.com/