[Harp-L] Custom Comb - anyone ?

["James boutilier" <jamesb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello, great list !

I'm a novice in here. Little background before my question:
I'm into learning Irish & Cajun harmonica music Only.
Playing Solo.
Harps that have passed my lips have been stock cheapies like: Hering Black blues, Hering Vintage 1923, Hohner Golden Melody, Hohner Big River and Huang Silvertone Delux.

I HATE the Hohner Big River. And I find the Golden Melody a little breathy in the bottom.
I LOVE the Huang Silvertone, but it is noticeably cheap, in that the reeds tend to stick and squeal.

I've only learned a little Blues in the past, but don't really like it. But now that I know my favorite music is playable on the harp, I'm back to try !

So.....

I'm going to pick up some Seydels or Lee Oscars.
Back and forth between the Seydel Blues Session Paddy, and the Favorite (aluminum) Paddy
Or just make a Paddy Lee Oscar from the Melody Maker reedplates.

I was full-hearted towards the Seydel because I'm lead to believe they are quality made (as much as you can without custom), usually out of the box ready, and in the case of the Favorite have aluminum comb and chrome plate reedplates. (I'm not a very clean player, so I thought that would be a benefit.  I also assume the slightly wider spacing might help a novice with cleaner quick rifts etc...

However, someone offered that LO use phos-Bronze reeds which hold up a LOT longer.  So I'm a little torn.

Either way, my question is about combs (unless you'd like to comment on the above also and save me a greater headache.--

QUESTION:  Is there anyone out there making Custom Profile Combs in ABS or Metal  for these harps?
I wanted ROUND HOLES,  OR,  CONCAVE Profile to the length of the front. Am I making sense?  I saw it done before, it's like the reverse of a chromatic (convex) mouthpiece.

The idea is the concave shape would let your tongue glide better between holes and make better, fuller contact with the hole (round or square).  The round hole is more me thinking it would make for easier tongue blocking (less air leak?)

My situation is I can only afford to buy one or 2 OK harps starting. I want to try to get the best for my buck starting out,  then take it to whatever level I can afford as I get better.  

Anyway,  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !

JB


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