[Harp-L] Chromatic combs cracking....

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

Just now I am in Arizona USA. I have been experiencing problems with  
cracked wood combs on THREE of my chromatics.
 
I happen to like my Hohner Super Chromonicas (270s). But they come as  
standard with pear wood combs.
 
Over the years I have played my harmonicas in many interesting places both  
in the tropics, and also in cold climates. But here in Arizona, it is the  
temperature variation that seems to be causing the problems... In "The 
Valley of  the Sun"  (Where Phoenix is situated), the temperature often exceeds 
90  degrees F during daytime at this time of year, & 20 degrees hotter than  
that in the summer months. But when going into the Arizona mountains, the  
temperature often drops to below freezing point. Where I was playing  last 
Friday for example, it dropped to about 30 degrees F....  I was  playing a gig 
in the open air that evening and it was COLD.
 
Oh I guess the answer is simply not to buy chromatic harps with pear wood  
combs... But to my fellow harp players, I simply say "be careful... 
Temperature  variations are not a good thing for harmonicas.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
John "Whiteboy" Walden,
English harmonica player.
(Who lives in the Philippines.)
Just now in Phoenix, AZ, USA.