Re: [Harp-L] for hohner 270 deluxe owners, probably a small crew at most

[Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ok ok Dennis 
We all have opinions and I did not want to start another Plastic VS Wood Comb debate.
But I would point out that a string instrument..... a harmonica is Not.

I have friends in both Wood Comb and Other Comb material camps and have even know
Personally Bango players.

I only threw out the dreaded " Plastic Comb " option as a public service and did not mean to offend any Wood Peckers ....:)



Mike Wilbur



On Oct 20, 2013, at 7:05 PM, Dennis Michael Montgomery <gaulay2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> To those that don't think grain is important or that think you are nuts for the record: I agree with you.  The reason: just ask a good guitar luthier.  Most of them will tell you they look for and study grain.  The grain in most cases have something to with the characteristics of sound and how it is projected.  In a number of instances it may have to do with nuances.  The better a musician becomes the more they care about nuances and that include harp players.
> 
> Dennis  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Sunday, October 20, 2013 3:23 PM, Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> For what it's worth, I find the " Hering " plastic replacement Comb and Reed assembly
> That fit a 270 perfectly are very nice.....no splinters at all !
> 
> That coming from another mainly Diatonic Heretic ...:)
> 
> Mike Wilbur
> 
> 
> 
> On Oct 20, 2013, at 5:10 PM, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> On Oct 20, 2013, at 3:44 PM, JON KIP wrote:
>> 
>>> If there are any dissatisfied owners of Hohner Deluxe 270's out there, and it's admittedly a small group who even forked up the money to buy one.... It's my favorite, but there have been some mysteries involved over the years.... I think that, between dick gardner and me, we've figured out what to blame for the majority of the issues. 
>>> 
>>> In a word "the comb".....
>> 
>> It doen't have to be. If one were to use a piece of wood that is nearly vertical grain, the piece would be more stable. Trees are like people. No two are the same and therefore growth patterns differ from tree to tree. BUT, vertical grain from a straight part of a tree with NO limb bud roots interfering, is a fairly stable piece. One way to choose a good comb would be to remove a reed plate (something a store is NOT going to allow) and study the grain. 
>> 
>> I have never seen a 270 comb separate. Hairline cracks? maybe? but these are usually sealable. The more likely is to find 280 combs separate. That's because I have seen  them in two and even three pieces. There were no lock joints. The pieces were merely slapped together, glued, and pressed. The grains were 'book' matched. In other words the grains ran in OPPOSITE directions. This was done to prevent the combs FROM twisting, bowing, warping. Much like modern closet shelving. But if the glue fails, you have a split comb.
>> 
>> I prefer wood combs but I like them to be laminated. This way, like plywood, the individual slabs work against each other, none of them wins the battle, and the piece stays the same shape. OR you could seal the combs. Many solutions could be used. Some would fly directly in the faces of those whom have a klepto for 'toxic shock' possibilities. lol
>>> 
>>> ok, in two words, but you get it... (At this point I'd think that nobody on harp-L has much interest in this, being mostly diatonic folk, but I'll go ahead, since about two (2) people in the past have expressed interest in that particular instrument, if I remembered who they were