Re: [Harp-L] 270 Replacement combs

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 270 Replacement combs

> Chris -
>
> Will the hole placement match up with previous existing placements, such 
> as the Richard Farrell combs or the 270 Deluxe? (I don't have a Deluxe, so 
> I don't know whether any correspondence exists between the Deluxe and the 
> Farrell screw hole placements.)
>
> If the placement matches the existing nail holes on the 270 (which was the 
> basis for the Farrell combs) then many players would be able to drill 
> their own holes without your having to do it for them.
>
> Winslow


Chris may not know about the bolt-hole locations in the 270 Deluxe and may 
not be familiar with Farrell's plastic-combed 270.  I am familiar with his 
design because Chris and I are currently sharing some comb-fabrication 
technology.

The nail hole locations in the 270 Standard and the bolt-hole locations in 
the 270 Deluxe are different because the larger bolt heads would be too 
close to the long-slot reeds of the Deluxe.

I bought many Farrell injection-molded-plastic-combed 270s for use in 
Hands-Free-Chromatics. Farrell would not sell bare plastic combs because he 
didn't trust people to be able to fit the plates.  Because Hohner sands the 
fronts of the combs and reedplates, no two reedplates that have been 
assembled on a harp are the same and they are very different from new plates 
that have not been sanded.  This means that the screw holes in the comb can 
be very near the nail holes in the plates but not perfectly on centers.  It 
is frequently necessary to "stretch" or slot the holes slightly to clear the 
screws.

Anyone who does not have a drill press to enlarge the nail holes in the 
reedplates and who is not prepared to do some needle-filing in the holes 
should allow Chris to install the plastic comb.  Chris is an experienced 
machinist who is familiar with the tendency of brass to surprise the 
un-initiated operator by suddenly climbing the drill bit!

SS nuts molded inside of the plastic combs are better than inserts in 
drilled holes because they cannot be pulled out.   Their SS threads will not 
wear out.  The plastic combs are almost as robust as metal combs and are 
about the same weight as wooden combs.

Another big advantage to Chris's plastic comb is the independent removal of 
covers and reedplates.  Remove two screws and one cover comes off with the 
other remaining secure. Then the removal of 5 screws removes just one 
reedplate.  Contrast this with the CX12 that is supposedly easy to maintain. 
Although the covers pop off easily, the reedplates are held on with 12 
(count em!) long bolts. Then when you finally get all 12 out, both 
reedplates come loose.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com