Re: [Harp-L] The final word on Comb Materials

David Payne <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:36:53 -0800 (PST)

On the combs, I'm not sure it's important either way, people will like what they like, When somebody mentions something different, even in passing or afterthought, this juggernaut of correction slams down. I've heard talk about "advertising claims," but these aren't corporations, these are people, people who work real jobs and try to offer something from a hobby on the side. The word is out on this stuff, my God, is it ever out on this stuff. There can not be three people on this board who haven't heard this stuff 40 times.  
I can probably best sum up my  thoughts allegorically, using something that happened to me today. A coworker gave me a Christmas card. I've worked with her for years, but she wrote "David Pane" on the card, which isn't my name, it's PAYNE, and before the mid 1800s, the family name was PAINE, but never PANE, as in windows. 
Now, I am a bit particular about my name, since I was in kindergarten, I've heard "Payne in the ass," etc. and there is no corruption or pun of my name I have not heard. 
 What did I tell her? 
"Thank you for the card." 

That's what I've been trying to say. Pick the battles._________________________________
Dave Payne Sr. 
Elk River Harmonicas
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 

________________________________
From: Vern Smith <jevern@xxxxxxx>
To: Frank Evers <frank@xxxxxxxxx>; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 2:35:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] The final word on Comb Materials

Many have tried to have the last word and then declare the subject closed.

I may have started the discussions about comb materials in the 90's when I 
challenged the notions that "wood sounds warm" and "metal sounds brilliant" 
and (worst of all) "plastic sounds plasticky."  On my part, this has been a 
continuous challenge that resulted in two formal comparisons at SPAH97 
organized by me and at Buckeye 98? organized by James Thaden. Another result 
is long-standing $1000 wager that no one can discriminate among materials on 
the basis of harp sound alone.

The comb-materials myth seems to me to be fueled by a wish-to-believe that 
arises from the following:
1. The need of those selling harmonicas to differentiate their competitive 
products.
2. The romantic notion that the the harmonica is more than just a machine 
and has a mystique.
3. The false analogy with soundboards in stringed instruments where 
materials do affect sound.
4. The false analogy that exotic materials should produce exotic sounds.
5. Failure to appreciate the universal, subjective human tendency to hear 
what we wish and/or expect to hear.
6. Desire for a way to sound better that doesn't require practice.
7. The unreliability of anecdotal experiences and too-small statistical 
samples.

At one time, there seemed to be a Harp-l consensus that differences arising 
from material were definitely not perceptible to listeners but might be 
perceptible to players.  Because it is much more difficult to do, it has not 
been tested under adequately controlled conditions.  Although I am doubtful, 
there is still some room for discussion here.

Then someone unfamiliar with the history of the subject on Harp-l comes 
along and claims that their comb material produces a certain identifiable 
tone ...and we are back at the beginning.

Whether or not comb materials are perceptible to the human ear is a 
(scientifically provisional) fact and not an opinion. If only one person 
could reliably and repeatably demonstrate the ability to hear the claimed 
differences under controlled conditions, everyone would be immediately 
convinced.  That person could also win my $1000 wager.  The truth is out 
there.  We have two challenges...to find it, and to get it accepted.  Then 
we can move on.

Vern

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Frank Evers" <frank@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 10:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] The final word on Comb Materials

Am Dienstag, 23. Dezember 2008 schrieb Tony Eyers:
> I notice another debate on comb material. Time to end it for once
> and for all.

Nice try, but lets face it, they LOVE this particular topic ;)

-- 
Gruß,Frank

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_______________________________________________
Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l