Re: [Harp-L] reed plate covers

["Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Vern-

I'm hearing that chrome-plated steel is most common for Hohners and Lee 
Oskars. Do you agree?
I'm working on a harmonica instructional book. The materials debate is 
outside of the scope of this book. As far as I can tell, tone seems to 
depend on the the player rather than the instrument. I know other opinions 
have aired on this topic, but I don't enough about the science of harp 
construction to take an arguable position on it.

Regards,
Glenn



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>
To: "Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] reed plate covers


> The material of cover plates is not  "usually" nickel. Because nickel is 
> expensive, I doubt that solid nickel was ever used.
>
> Cover plates are frequently plated brass.  They used to be plated with 
> nickel but so many people are allergic to nickel that the plating is now 
> usually chromium.  Chromium plating is more resistant to discoloration. 
> It is much harder and thus more resistant to scratches.
>
> Many diatonics such as Lee Oscar, Hohner Special 20, and probably many 
> others appear to be unplated stainless steel.  After iron, nickel and 
> chromium are the largest components of SS alloys.
>
> Some top-of-the-line harps are silver-plated brass.
>
> I don't know what you are writing, but be very skeptical of any claims 
> that choice of cover materials perceptibly affects sound. At SPAH97, there 
> was a blind comparison of CX12s; one with black plastic and one with solid 
> brass covers.  None of the approx 30 listeners could detect any difference 
> in sound.
>
> Vern
> Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 10:09 AM
> Subject: [Harp-L] reed plate covers
>
>
> > Gang-
> >
> > Question-what are reed plate covers usually made of? Isn't it nickel or 
> > an alloy thereof?
> > I need to know for something I'm writing.
> >
> > -Glenn Weiser
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