[Harp-L] Re: Combs!



It's amazing that two separate issues can get so easily confused and
cause so much unnecessary fulmination. 
 
Vern's test and wager is all about what the LISTENER hears. Like George
Brooks, I'm with Vern in accepting that he has proved his case that the
listener can't tell what comb material is being used under controlled
conditions. And not only that, can't detect a difference between comb
materials. I don't think anyone is going to be successful in winning the
$1000 from Vern over that issue.
 
But what the PLAYER hears and feels is a different thing, and Vern has
not claimed to test that. Being in such close contact with the
harmonica, with it in ones hands and mouth, other senses as well as
hearing come into play. Any good player of any instrument is incredibly
attuned to the finest nuances of their axe, and the harmonica has one of
the most intimate physical connections with the player. 
 
With the instrument so close, the sense of hearing is accentuated. It
mixes with the sense of touch, so vibrations are not just heard but
felt, and thus reinforced. The 'heft' of the comb, it's weight and mass,
are sensed consciously and subconsciously. Even taste and smell can come
into it; different materials react differently to the tongue and saliva.
 
These incredibly complex interactions all add up to definitely
perceptible differences to the player, and this seems to be what's
creating all the fuss. People do get really attached to certain
comb/coverplate interfaces on their harmonicas, for reasons of tone and
playability, and feel passionately about it. That's nothing to do with
Vern's SPAH test, so stop giving him such a hard time!
 
>From the plethora of posts, it it seems there is general agreement that
the player can distinguish between different comb materials. However,
whether they can definitely say under strictly controlled conditions (a
blindfold test, same reedplates and coverplates, no prior knowledge etc)
what the materials actually ARE is another question! 
 
Of course, anyone can tell the difference between a solid metal comb and
a light wood one just by the weight. But could a player really tell the
difference between a pear wood comb and a solid plastic comb of
comparable weight, mass and sponginess (eg. material such as used in the
Seydel Silver comb)? That would be interesting to find out, and could
well debunk a few myths ;)

Brendan
WEBSITE:  <http://www.brendan-power.com/> http://www.brendan-power.com 
YOUTUBE:  <http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic>
http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic

 



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