Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH 2010 Comb Test: Retraction & Apology

[joe leone <3N037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sep 1, 2010, at 6:53 PM, MundHarp@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Smo-Jo said... About wooden combs on chromatic harmonicas...
>
> <<
> ......but I haven't had them warp or crack. The cracking is
> usually prevalent in chromatics that have been stored for a
> relatively long period. (Like 4.5 to 5 years...or more). Once a
> wooden chromatic has been played, it should be continued to be
> played. Just like it is a bad idea to take a wooden boat in and out
> of the water a lot.
> >>
>
> Good point.... But over the years I have had perhaps a dozen wood  
> comb chromatic combs crack. It happens mostly when one travels  
> through extreme climate conditions. This spring I spent a couple of  
> months based in Glendale, Phoenix, AZ, in the "Valley of the Sun".  
> That is, the Arizona desert! A VERY dry area. I travelled from  
> there,  into the Arizona mountains, and then across America to  
> Georgia, SC and NC,  up into the Great Smoky Mountains...  
> Temperature range? About 28 degrees F in the mountains, to about  
> 105 degrees F in the desert, and back again. Humidity? Very  
> variable indeed.
> During my trip I had FIVE "270" combs crack, and those harmonicas  
> were in use mostly on a daily basis.
> Now I'm back in tropical south-east Asia, in an extremely humid  
> place, and the cracked combs have regained moisture,  the wood has  
> swollen back, sealing (mostly) back up.
> I guess such climate change is not "normal"...

*** Good point. When I lived in Pittsburgh, it was possible to get a  
78 degree temp. change in one DAY. I remember a Christmas eve where  
the day started out a balmy 63 degrees and by 2 am it was down to 15  
BELOW, Here in Fla. 23 degrees is the most swing I have ever  
experienced. 53 in the day and 30 at night. (enough to kill my more  
tropical plants).

Recent trips to Haiti, So. America. & Cen. America, my chromatics  
played beautifully. In Palm Springs. they SUCKED.

I keep my chromatics in the garage in a clarinet case. The temp is  
fairly steady 11 months of the year. In Feb, I take them into the  
house. SW Fla is wet 6 months of the year and bone dry for 6. My  
spl-20s? No problem.
> Someone suggested keeping my pear wood comb harmonicas in a cigar  
> humidor... To keep them "damp"...

In the dry months, I put a damp sponge in my case. It is padded in  
red velvet. Combs came from trees. Trees are moist. :)
> I'm unlikely to chose pear wood again in the future as a comb  
> material of choice!

I agree, unfortunately I already have Herings and Hohners with wooden  
combs, so I can't justify throwing them out.
> Smo-Jo said also:
> <<
> You're entitled to your opinion but if you put a 270 on a plastic
> comb, the sound may not change but the feel does. The vibrations
> change. While this may not be noticable to the listeners, sometimes
> the player is sensitive to it.>>
>
> I agree. Different comb materials seem to make the harmonica feel  
> different. Not (IMHO) worse, just different.

What I was trying to say here was that while the sound may SOUND the  
same to listeners, the FEEL of the sound may FEEL different to the  
player. It could be the vibrations? I don't know and I can't prove  
it, so I wouldn't fight over it BUT:

While religious topics are a no no on this list, I will use an  
example as a 'pica' example. Lets say I am not an atheist and not an  
agnostic, but that I don't DO religion. Now since I don't attempt to  
push my NON beliefs on anyone, I don't expect believers to push THEIR  
beliefs on me. See my point. I am totally unbiased and willing to  
receive all input without prejudice(s).

I was never disputing Vern's claims. However, having said that, when  
someone makes claims, they should be able to back them up. Funny, I  
never asked him to back them up, but this has come up so often, I  
have taken the attitude: "Hey, YOU started it". I was told that you  
can't prove a negative. Ok, then that's that. So while I admire and  
respect Vern to the sky, there's no point of my belaboring the subject.

My son was a chemical engineer and told me that any change to a  
formula (however slight), be it temp. pressure, addition of a few  
molecules of another element, deletion of a few molecules, and  
countless other ramifications, can completely change a compound.  
Sometimes with disastrous results. Sometimes good results...like the  
invention of a new product.

In a court of law, any deletion or addition of even the most  
infinitesimally small particle of evidence (or non evidence) can  
change a case. Sometimes with good results. Sometimes with disastrous  
results. A guilty becomes a nolle-prosse or a not guilty. OR a not  
guilty can change to a death penalty.

So, all I'm saying is that I have a very high threshold of proof.  
Just as Vern sticks with very defined laws of science, I do the same  
with laws.
Sorry if I seem stubborn. Btw, I was at the original comb experiments  
in 99? This time I didn't attend because I didn't want my own  
personal feelings to jade my own personal feelings. Vern has said  
that people will likely skew their conclusions to what they expected  
them to be. I can understand that.

smo-joe

> I have had several 270s re-combed, to Plexiglass combs. When I get  
> the money together, I'll have my working kit of "270s" all re-combed.


> Best wishes,
>
> John "Whiteboy" Walden
> Cebu City
> Philippines.