Re: [Harp-L] Re: Combs

["Mark Lavoie" <lavoie@xxxxxxxxx>]

Steve,
It goes to show, that  harmonica player's who have mastered the instrument, 
can tell the difference, when harmonica's from different comb materials are 
played.

Click on the Delta Groove link below, view Video's Bio's and so on.

Bill and I are in the search for representation, any thoughts about that.
Stay tuned!
Mark

Mark Lavoie
4849 Bristol Rd
Bristol, VT  05443

802-236-5665
http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/artists/billsimmarlavoie/main.html
www.myspace.com/theharmonicaman
www.middlebury.net/lavoie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Baker" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:46 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Combs


> At the risk of provoking the scorn of those with a divergent opinion  I'd 
> like to sketch my own experience with combs made of different  materials:
>
> During the last couple of years in the course of my work for Hohner  I've 
> made fairly exhaustive tests comparing combs made of various  woods and 
> other materials, using Marine Band Deluxe reed plates and  covers due to 
> the ease of assembling and disassembling them. I not  only compared 
> identical instruments fitted with different combs, but  also swopped the 
> reed plates so I could hear the same comb with a  different set of plates 
> in order to eliminate possible differences in  reedplate quality. In 
> addition I regularly play many of these  instruments on stage, often 
> swopping harps in mid song to see if  there's a difference or to switch to 
> one whose sound and playing feel  I prefer. I hear and perceive distinct 
> differences not only between  different woods but also between wood and 
> plastic, and also between  woods treated with different finishes. I 
> haven't been able to conduct  tests using identical reedplates and covers 
> with metal combs, but my  experiences with various harps fitted with metal 
> combs lead me to  believe there is definitely a difference. A Hohner 
> Meisterklasse MS  will sound slightly different with a wooden or plastic 
> comb and it  will certainly feel different. Try it yourseof  -  the parts 
> are  compatible after all. These tests have led me to clear personal 
> preferences. It's true that the outside listener might not notice any 
> difference, because we're talking about nuances here, but I certainly 
> notice enough difference to make me switch from one to another in the 
> middle of a song in order to make my music sound the way I want it to 
> sound to me. It's a moot point whether even a knowledgeable listener  will 
> be able to hear the difference between a Stradivarius and a  medium priced 
> violin, but believe me someone like Nigel Kennedy can,  and that's why top 
> violinists are prepared to pay astronomical prices  in order to get one.
>
> Elizabeth's point about possible toxicity is something I can only  agree 
> with. Many woods can cause allergic reactions and there are  harmonicas on 
> the market that I will not play for this reason,
>
> Steve
>
> Steve Baker
> steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> www.stevebaker.de
> www.bluesculture.com
> www.youtube.com/stevebakerbluesharp
>
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