[Harp-L] Re: Customizing XB-40

[Rick Epping <rickepping@xxxxxxxxx>]

There is a modification that I do with the combs of my low-keyed XB-40s.
 Even though the XB-40's reed cell clearance is the same as that for the
Super Chromonica, which has the same reeds,  the responder reeds give the
XB-40's regular reeds an extra boost, so that they swing farther than Super
Chromonica reeds - so much so that the lowest reeds may strike their cell
floor if played with enough force.  I chisel away some of the cell floor
from under any problem reeds to give them a little more clearance.  This is
not something that could have been taken care of in the comb's injection
mold, because all the parts of the comb must be of similar thickness to
avoid irregular shrinkage of the ABS plastic as it cools after removal from
the mold.  But there is no problem with thinning a reed cell floor on a
finished comb.  If you should chisel away too much and break into the
middle valve cell, the hole can easily be filled with ABS shavings melted
into a paste with acetone.  Just be careful not to chisel away any area of
a cell floor that lies underneath a reed valve.  This modification allows
me to get more volume out of the low notes of the low keys, without the
reeds rattling against their cell floor.

Best regards,
Rick


> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2012 07:18:37 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Customizing XB-40
> To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID:
>         <1351779517.13439.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> You can re-bend, openup, and arch covers on an XB-40; I've done that with
> some of mine.
>
> You can do embossing and reed arcing; have also done those things.
>
> However, there's not much you can do with the comb. beyond perhaps
> flattening. The comb of the XB-40 is a complex series of ductwork that make
> the whole thing work; it's impossible to replace with an aftermarket comb
> because:
>
> 1) It's patented (though some of the patents covering the XB-40 have
> expired)
>
> 2) It's very complex and would cost a fortune to make by hand
>
> 3) It's doubtful that a custom comb would improve on the original.
>
> 4) Reducing the thickness isn't practical - all that space is need for the
> internal workings. The XB-40 comb is actually two combs that form three
> stacked sets of internal air chambers, with valves inside the innermost
> chamber that need vertical clearance for their movement.
>
> The XB-40 is the same dimensions as a 10-hole chromatic. For  anyone who
> plays standard chromatic, this form factor is normal.
>
> But for diatonic players who don't play chromatic, yes the XB-40 is huge.
>
> Then there's the SUB-30. Brendan Power and the Suzuki engineers worked
> hard to get it to the same dimensions as a standard 20-reed diatonic. In so
> doing they came up with a harmonica that plays very well (though early
> production models have had the problems that have been discussed here in
> some detail).
>
> However, they also had to sacrifice some of the qualities that I value in
> the XB-40:
>
> -- The loudness of the SUB-30 is similar to a standard diatonic, while the
> XB-40 can be driven to amazingly high volumes.
>
> -- The XB-40 has a dedicated bending reed for every note in the harmonica,
> giving it great flexibility in bending.
>
> -- And the XB-40 allows you to bend two notes at once without having the
> responder reeds make unwanted sounds - a big element in its design and
> something that the SUB-30 does have a problem with.
>
> For all its advantages, the XB-40 hasn't seen widespread acceptance,
> though, due to its differences from the standard 20-reed diatonic. The
> SUB-30 certainly has the edge in form factor and in overall similarity to
> the familiar 10-hole. But it still requires players to approach the
> instrument on its own terms. Whether players take to it in great numbers
> remains to be seen.
>
> Winslow
>
> Winslow Yerxa
> Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
>             Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
>             Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
> Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
> Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Edward Hart <hooligan6a@xxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2012 5:43 AM
> Subject: [Harp-L] Customizing XB-40
>
> Is anyone doing anything with the XB-40?  Combs or cover plates? Anything
> to make is more comfortable to play? i like playing it,  but it is so big.
> can anything be done with it?
>
>