[Harp-L] Harmonicas available today (shawn chain)

["geoff atkins" <geoffatkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:38:17 -0400
From: shawn chain <spolcyc@xxxxxxxxxxx>

1) what Brands and Model do you like and why ?
   - (Tried thers: Tombo, Suzuki) but went back to
     Hohner range, tried several, Blues Harp suits me 
   - as yet, it does all that I can ask from it
   - available without delay (unlike Tom and Suzu)
   - usually plays sufficiently well OOTB (lets not go there)
2) What to look for in a Brand and Model ?
   - reliability of response
   - longevity (like a car, IMHO careful
     running-in affects the lifespan)
3) what keys should I get, in what order ?
   - eventually all, just in case, but C,A,D,G,Bb were for
     starters, then F,Dlow (Hohner's JJMilteaux) .. F# last.
4) When ordering from an on line site, 
   what kind of warranty should we look for?
   - warranty issues are poor, from site or store.
     I became a DIY fan because sending a (chrom) back to 
     Europe (from Africa)for service took > three months and 
     cost nearly a new harp price in postage and insurance.
5) Combs: wood,plastic,marble,gold,silver,paper,
   leather,bone,skin, how do they change the sound
   or do they ?
   - I believe they do, wood attenuates high frequency
     harmonics of the note. Solid aluminium is brighter
     and louder. I do NOT like the hollowed-out plastic
     combs at all! They can leak. I once experimented,
     filling the cavities with "Blue Tack" (see, it has
     another use! * ).Harp felt good, heavy, was air-tight,
     but an unnecessary chore! 
     I use wood sealed with 50/50 vaseline/beeswax mix.
     Once made a set of combs from MDF board, they were
     quite successful,(I play dry).
6) Reeds: Brass,steel,aluminum,plastic, paper, 
   how does the material change the sound ?
   - the reed comes with the harp model choice or 
     replacement spare. "Brass" (Cu/Zn) reeds are the only
     ones I've experienced, though possibly they are 
     "bronze" (Cu/Sn) or other solid solutions.
     Stiffer alloys are brighter. Never tried S/Steel or
     (plastic !?) If you like paper, U need a comb 
     or a Kazoo   :)
7) Screws on reeds: the more the better and if so why?
   - air tight seal between reed plate and comb, 
     the more screws, the more even pressure applied,
     = less leakage. 2-7 plus cover screws. 
     The heavier the reed plate, the less screws needed.
     There may be a plate resonance issue too?      
8) Reed cover: Nails that look like screws  making one
   a fool trying to unscrew them, ...
   - the "screw" nail is a cheap and nasty solution used
     to construct some good harps. IMHO Screws are better.    
9) Cover Plate: Material will this make a difference ?
   - Brass tastes bad, black coated ProHarp covers have
     less friction, so are favourite, (but not the harp 
     itself so I swap combs). I have one gold-plated cover
     on a repro harp, but plating wears away quickly.

>> * I hereby claim patent rights on filling combs with Blue Tack<<
Best Regards, Geoff Atkins