[Harp-L] Was: Opening up the cover plates:Now ,Why??

["hazcon" <hazcon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I can understand the trend of opening the plates up if perhaps you want to 
just play acoustically and /or maybe the aesthetic value, though personally 
I can't hear any real difference between open or closed, the reason being 
that even most acoustic players cup the Harp so to muffle and choke the 
instrument as an effect.
               But when trying to play 'Chicago' style harp wouldn't the 
opening up of the instrument make it more difficult to achieve that 
microphone proximity effect that drives that sound.? There has been a lot of 
discussion in the past about the need to block off the unused front  holes 
with the cheek and making sure that the back of the Harp is fully closed off 
by the'cup' .So why open up the covers and make it harder(albeit slightly) 
to achieve that effect.?
            Anyways no axe to grind either ways here, just curious as to 
what others think.
Rick
in NZ



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Rogers" <bullfrog9@xxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 04:26
Subject: [Harp-L] Opening up the cover plates


I have some customs, that weren't opened up in the back.  Is there an easy 
way, without buying long vice grips or a special tool?

Bullfrog