[Harp-L] The shapes of covers

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Of course the listener can hear a difference in cover shapes.  Block  
an unblock the vents with your fingers on a Marine Band or Big River  
(like Dave did with his Seydels in his video) and anyone will hear  
the difference.  Why do customizers open up the backs of the covers  
on some models?  It makes a difference.  And, if you're amplified,  
the difference is amplified too (okay, a tight cup alters everything  
and may diminish the subtle distinctions in tone among cover design,  
but some of us vary between tight cup and loose cup and relative  
position of the harp in relation to the mic element to vary the sound  
that is produced when performing).  But it all makes a difference.   
Is it more perceptible to the audience or the player?  Who knows, but  
there is a difference if one cares about tone (and what serious  
player does not?)  The audience may not know, care, notice or  
understand what the difference is, and it may be subtle, but it will  
be there to be heard.
	JP