Re: RE: [Harp-L] Nails in Combs

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

J Compton wrote:
> Similarly, customizers generally dislike it when people go in 
> after them and tweak (okay, ruin) their work...and keeping the 
> original nail configuration helps prevent that.  And changing to 
> screws is more work for arguably relatively little benefit 
> assuming the consumer doesn't routinely disassemble and reassemble 
> after customization.  Or maybe (similar to the first point) the 
> nails lead to more frequent customized purchases.  Throw in a 
> story about the benefits of nails over screws and you're covered.
> 
> Maybe it really is always about the money.

There's NOTHING about customizing harmonicas that's about the 
money.  It's all about making the instrument more responsive and 
making it sound better.  It's hours of tuning and tweaking and 
gently trying to persuade the thing to give up it's secrets.  The 
same is true of any of these trades.  Ask Sonny Jr about wax paper 
wrapped transformers and point-to-point wiring and laquered tweed 
over finger jointed pine.  It's the nuances that make the 
difference.  

Some customizers models are trying to stay as true to the original 
Marine Band as possible.  Screws that go all the way through bind 
the upper and lower plates together.  Enlarging the holes changes 
the mass of the plates.  Does this stuff matter?  Ask Joe Filisko, 
ask Jimmy Gordon, ask Richard Sleigh.  It must matter to someone.  
Ask Sonny Jr.

-tim