[Harp-L] Painted v Shiny coverplates

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

	I never thought about it before, but I share your perception about  
the relative volume of heavy coverplates.  But most of these are  
completely open in the back which should also increase volume.   
Unlike the experience of you and others, I've never been bothered by  
the relative slipperiness or lack thereof of shiny/painted  
coverplates. (different strokes for different folks).  Harp players  
don't talk about coverplate design all that much.  Not like electric  
guitar players, for example, who use and discuss different pickups as  
they affect tone, and how we harp players discuss mics and amps with  
such regularity.
	Vented covers (for example, Marine Band, Big River ) have a  
different tone than unvented covers (for example, old and MS  
Meisterklasse, Suzuki Hammod/Promaster, Golden Melody).  Neither is  
better or worse, just different, depending on what the player likes  
and the player's style.  But there has not been much discussion of  
these differences which I, for one , consider important.  After all.  
once a player develops more than rudimentary technique, what is more  
important to a player than tone with all its subtleties?  And the  
design of the instrument affects tone in a significant (though  
subtle ) way.
	JP