Re: [Harp-L] RE: Combs - I surrender with my last word

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

Vern,
You proved it to me!
The comb material IN MY OPINION  makes no difference to the sound the  
harmonica makes... AT ALL!
OK Perhaps a metal comb might be a little louder, because of reflecting the  
sound internally. It's also more stable than wood, which swells and contracts  
more.
But as to "tone"
Wood = Same sound
Plastic = Same sound
Metal = Same sound
Concrete= Same sound
YES a comb made of frozen jelly will seem strange to the player, but IT  
WON'T affect the sound of the harmonica. In my opinion.
John Walden
London 
England
 
 
In a message dated 24/09/2008 12:09:18 Pacific Daylight Time,  jevern@xxxxxxx 
writes:


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Derwood Blues"  <Derwood.Blues@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l"  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 6:33  AM
Subject: [Harp-L] RE: Combs - I surrender with my last  word



> I have willingly and humbly listened to those who's  ideas challenge and
> contradict my ideas and I have learned from the  exchange. But it is 
> honestly
> not an enjoyable exchange when  my thoughts seem to be dismissed without
> being understood yet with  "expert" accuracy.

I can't speak for others, but I claim to have taken  each question seriously 
and have answered as patiently and accurately as I  could.  Where it seemed 
necessary to correct a misperception, I claim  to have done so with an 
explanation, not a dismissal.

> Is sound  production with
> the result of moving air from two sources truly  "entirely different"? If 
> you
> connected a harmonica reed to a  sound board would the note be the same?

If by "note" you mean the  pitch, yes.  If you mean the tone and loudness as 
well, no.   When I was making reeds, I needed a way of checking their pitch 
without  having to install them in a harp.  I glued a 1/8" thick piece of  
plywood in the end of a large can.  On the plywood, I put a little  clamp to 
temporarily hold a reed.  The plucked reed was much louder  than the same 
reed plucked in the harp but it did not sound like a blown  reed.  I put the 
end with the mic of my electronic tuner in the open  mouth of the can and it 
"heard" the note just fine.

> Is the  vibration chopping air unrelated to the vibration that moves a 
>  membrane?

The vibrating part (string or reed) obeys the same laws of  physics as do all 
mechanical vibrations.  However, the means of  coupling the vibration to the 
air is entirely different.

> What  would happen if a guitar string was put in an environment where it
>  would chop air?

It would very likely sound much like a  harmonica.

> Would it produce an entirely different note?

Not  unless the "chopper" attached to it changed its mass or springiness.  I  
assume that by "note" you mean "pitch".

> I guess I assumed that  I should not be penalized for not having been a
> member of the list for  years and years.

Almost everything said in the current thread was said  years ago but has been 
repeated for the benefit of those of you who were  not here then.

>  I guess I assumed that this was an
>  exchange of ideas and hypothesis.

I posit that it is and has  been.  Is your complaint that your questions have 
been dismissed  without being answered, or is it that you don't like the  
answers?

Vern  


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