Re: [Harp-L] Blisters and sore tongue from playing

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

One of the reasons I migrated from wood to metal or plastic combs... Is  
that plastic and metal is relatively inert and does not swell...
Years ago, I could only get harps with pear wood combs...
Yes they sounded great, they played ok... But they ripped my lips to  
PIECES. If you play every night, your lips WILL bleed, with un-sealed pearwood  
combs! OK your lips WILL harden in time... and it won't hurt so much.
OK
Vern Smith is 100% right. Wood combs have no effect on the sound  that the 
audience hears!
So, why not play plastic or metal combed harps?
They won't rip up your lips or tongue.
My personal preference is simply,
Stainless Steel custom comb, Hohner MS system reed plates, and Blues Harp  
cover plates.
I simply find that to be a GREAT combination.
Your mileage might vary!
John "Whiteboy" Walden
ex-pat Englishman...
Now residing in:
Cebu City
Philippines