Re: [Harp-L] harmonicas are not guitars

[Matthew Smart <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>]

Of course not but I still think its a decent example as the reeds and strings are in close proximity to the body

I'm not a guitar player but I do not know any good guitar player that plays a plastic body guitar correct me if I'm wrong. If they do it's a much harder, denser acrylic blend vs that abs cheap light stuff that will melt with light heat. Example Seydel makes a more dense plastic comb on the silver that is much better and dishwasher safe

But if that doesn't satisfy you then pick a nice flute or other woodwind instrument. Do they use cheap plastic? No

I would also submit that most harmonica customizers do not use stock combs unless fixing up the marine band stock or using the stock sp20 comb. I don't think they do this just because they look good. I can speak with decent authority here because I sell parts to many of them

Respectfully

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 28, 2012, at 12:52 PM, Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Mathew Smart writes:
> 
> "The big thing is the resonance and seal. A plastic comb doesn't resonate well imagine if a guitar was made from abs plastic. It would have no tone."
> 
> 
> I've said this dozens of times before: harmonicas are not guitars.  There is essentially no similarity between how a harmonica produces sound and how a guitar does.  Comparing the construction of the two is pointless.  
> 
> As for the harmonica comb resonating--try this, remove the reed-plates and bang the comb against a hard surface.  Aside from metal combs you'll get a dull thud (metal combs will have a very slight, inharmonic tuning fork sound).  The thud may be a bit different if it's a wooden or plastic comb, but a thud nonetheless.  Not much resonating going on there.  Now, take two slabs of metal and clamp them over the same comb very securely with screws.  Bang this against a table.  Duller thud.  Do the same with a metal comb and you will now have no tuning fork action (logically, as the tines are now incapable of vibrating being securely clamped) and thus produce a dull thud.  The harmonica comb is essentially inert.
> 
> And, for the record, there have been plastic guitars (and ukuleles) which are rather successful.  I don't know how they relate to ABS plastic, but I doubt the basic characteristics were that different:
> 
> http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/PluckedStrings/Guitars/Maccaferri/10458/G40Guitar.html
> 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsyTV-7mLjU
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> Skip to 3:10 on this:
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> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4yw90ylF-4
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> JR Ross
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>