Re: [Harp-L] More info about combs

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Has anyone got a thumbnail summary of both tests? I recall the SPAH 
discussion -- but not how the tests were conducted.

Did the same player play several different harps and ask the audience to 
identify which was which?
And what were the shortcomings in the SPAH test that were corrected in the 
Buckeye test?

Was the player tested? Blindfolded and asked to play a "supported" harp -- in 
a rack or on a stand so the heft/or lack of it and the shape would not give 
away the materials?

This materials issue could be an issue only perceived by the player, who then 
reacts to this "perceived" difference by playing harder, softer, lighter etc.

The audience may not notice the difference between two keyboards made by the 
same company but the player would notice the feel if one keyboard had weighted 
keys (to feel like a piano) and the other unweighted keys (like an organ) and 
adjust the playing style to compensate.

Other than the fact that my metal combs are heavy and tight, the pastic ones 
are tight and the wooden combs seem a little less tight (leaky?) -- all my 
harps sound about the same (I think).

Phil









In a message dated 9/17/08 7:27:56 PM, jevern@xxxxxxx writes:


> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "J Compton" <jofjltn4@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 2:24 PM
> Subject: RE: [Harp-L] More info about combs
> 
> 
> > Let me fire the first salvo in opposition to the conclusion of that study:
> 
> "Lay on McDuff, and damned be him who first cries, 'hold, enough.' "
> 
> > Just because you don't think you hear a difference doesn't mean it isn't
> > there.
> 
> The question is about a ~perceptible~ difference.  Starlight is "there" in
> the daytime but it isn't perceptible.
> 
> I'm sure that no one wants to cover all of the old ground, discuss the
> acoustical theory anew, and repeat the comparisons.  It is all in the harp-l
> archives.  For a number of years, things have stood about like this:
> 
> *  Various musicians, especially those who sell combs of exotic material,
> continue to claim that comb materials have a perceptible effect on harmonica
> tone.  They cite testimonials and anecdotal evidence.  Some people believe
> them. The materials analogy with stringed instruments remains powerful, even
> if unwarranted.
> 
> * Acoustic theory does not support such a claim.
> 
> * Public comparisons under controlled conditions at SPAH in '97 and at
> Buckeye in '98 failed to support such a claim.  The Buckeye comparisons were
> designed to answer criticisms of the SPAH event.  I organized the SPAH
> comparison but was not present at the Buckeye one.
> 
> * I have offered (and still offer) a $1000 wager that no one can reliably
> discriminate among different comb materials....
> .......... in a set of otherwise identical harps
> ...........in a public comparison
> ...........from the sound of the harps alone.
> 
> If you can do it, you can win the $1000 and (better yet) see me "eat crow" !
> 
> Vern
> Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> 




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