Re: [Harp-L] Comb material - the last word?!"

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Sep 18, 2008, at 9:46 AM, Tom Halchak wrote:

> After some research and much conversation, it appears that:
>
> a)      This is a subject that has been debated many times in the past

True..oh SO true.
> b)      There is no conclusive proof that comb material makes much
> difference - however,

Why does it have to be proven? Doesn't a person's personal feelings  
play a part? I mean, what is this, some kind of a contest? I mean, if  
it's proven or dis-proven would that make the world spin slower/ 
faster? Why can't a person feel that they can perceive a difference?  
Isn't it possible that there are ringing overtones, microtones, or  
vibrations that a player prefers from one material in preference to  
another material. Why does everything center on whether the listeners  
can hear a difference?

It's like the silly tourage about tuning. There's just, equal, 12- 
tet, and yada yada. There was an 11 man ensenble at spah and  
deducting the Wizard Winslow's baritone harp, and Stan Bowe's bass  
harp, the other 9 players were playing mostly 64 reed chromos (some  
used 48s) , AND they were DIFFERENT makes & models.. The 'eloquent  
Peloquin' never ONCE asked anyone if their harps were in tune. During  
the wonderful amazing show at 'whatchamacallit & soups' downtown St.  
Louis, did it really matter what Madcat the cat in the hat was  
playing? Everyone sounded amazing to ME. Was everyone right on tune?  
I seriously doubt it.

I mean golly gosh guys, I can pick up 3 IDENTICAL Hohners in the same  
key and they will all have subtle differences. Are these differences  
enough to nail down definitively? No, but they are still there. I had  
a Toots hard bopper that used to sit on a Circassian Walnut comb.  
When I mounted the plates on a bronze comb, I could tell the  
difference. Now, it is true that maybe I changed something ELSE in  
the overall dynamics without realizing it, and maybe those change(s)  
HAD an effect. I don't know. But what difference does it make? This  
whole thing is like splitting DNA.
> c)       Those that do believe comb material produces a different  
> sound are
> prone to seek out and experiment with different materials - and  
> there are
> plenty available.

So this shouldn't be a crime
> I think that I am one of the people who fall under category c.

I fit categories c & d.
> Having said, that, I see no reason to reinvent the wheel.

Why not. Maseratis used to come with wire wheels. Now they come with  
mags.

>   Mark sells replacement maple combs for only $20.00 on his site so  
> why muddy the water?
> Anyone who wants to try one would probably be better off doing  
> business with
> Mark.  He obviously has vastly more experience than I do.

Experience isn't what it once was. Just look at your presidential  
candidates.   lol
> Since I am somewhat of a tinkerer,

Then you should tinker.

> I will however, continue to pursue this
> experiment and to those of you who expressed an interest, I'll keep  
> you
> posted about what I am up to and am still willing to send out  
> samples if I
> come up with anything interesting.

Try linen micarta.

smo-joe
> Tom H.
>
> Clearwater, FL
>
>
>
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