Re: [Harp-L] plastic comb vs wood ?

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Special 20 uses a plastic comb.

MS harps exist in several models that use different comb materials:

MS Blues Harp: Doussie wood (doesn't swell like the unsealed pearwood used in older Marine Bands

MS Meisterklasse: aluminum comb (and chrome-plated reedplates to prevent chemical reaction between brass and aluminum)

All other MS models: plastic

Newer Marine Bands and Marine Band Deluxe use pearwood that's sealed fairly well against saliva and breath moisture. I still wouldn't dunk them (haven't tried it; don't plan to).

Plastic is more stable than wood and cheaper than metal. The question of whether comb material affects tone rages on; try 'm all and pick what you personally prefer.
 
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: Fran_3 <mailbox0600@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Saturday, June 8, 2013 4:28 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] plastic comb vs wood ?
 

The honer specal 20 and ms have wooden combs... right?
 
Can you replace them with a plastic comb?
 
And, I'd like to hear your thoughts and comments about plastic vs wood.
 
The concern to me would be maintainability... how many times can you take the nails or screws out of a wood comb harmonica before it just doesn't go back to gether any more? Or is this really an issue?
 
Regarding tone... years ago some soaked wooden comb harps before playing... but I think that has been de-bunked... or has it?
 
Wooden or Plastic? Whadda ya say?