Re: [Harp-L]Comb test

[Larry Sandy <slyou65@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have read both sides on this issue and have to admit my head is spinning a little, unless that is just the composition of my head bones virgiggleating.  Personally, my highly refined, over-abused, super-saturated head flappers can definitely hear a difference between SOME combs.  I have reshaped and mutilated several pear combs from 364's and 365's  and finished them in various means.  One in particular was definitely not as loud by several degrees as were some others.  A few sounded more clear than others.  One or two had a muted sound.  By and large, the harder the finish was the louder the harp played.  My aluminum and brass models are much much louder than the wood combs.  No one has, and probably cannot, convince me I am wrong on this issue- as far as MY EARS are concerned.  To me that is what is important... what my ears hear, either via the canals or the bones.  I enjoy my sound and would buy all my CD's, if I had any for sale.   Rap
 a drum stick on various items and perhaps you will agree that the harder the rapped object is, the louder it sounds.  Or not.

Lockjaw Larry
Breathing Music daily through wood, plastic and metals.



________________________________
 From: David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2012 6:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L]Comb test
 
Absolutely 2010 SPAH test changed me. The fact "nobody can tell the difference in comb material" had been browbeaten into me for years that I had come to believe it and I had assigned various other attributes for tone. 
There were three combs I believe in that test. Two of them were very close. Then there was another that when I heard it, it was like a fist in the ear compared to the others. It stood out that much. I looked at the reaction of the players and they're all looking like there is no difference. There's no change in the audience's demeanor. I  thought "what the hell, people? Surely you can hear this, for chrissakes." Everybody was acting like they heard nothing. 
I was just there as an observer, but I noted when I heard the brass and I was usually right. There were times the brass did not sound like itself - this was due to leaks that Brandon mentioned - the harps did sound, on occasion, very weak. When all was equal, the brass rang like a telephone. I still don't know how that didn't turn out to be the definite test that you could tell the difference. I don't know if I was the only one paying attention, I don't know if they should have passed out Q-tips before hand, or if I was the only one who could hear it. But it was SOOOOO obvious.      
 

David Payne
www.elkriverharmonicas.com


Elk River Harmonicas Forum now available via Iphone app, www.elkriverharmonicas.com/forum


________________________________
From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2012 6:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L]Comb test

Did anyone change their opinion following previous comb tests? Please check
in with us.

Robert Hale
Spiral Advocate
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