[Harp-L] Gaskets?

[Joseph Leone]

Most of what you say is true ‘Super Vern’. The air going around just ONE reeds would be more than a comb leak. BUT a gasket will soak up vibrations and make a harp feel better in the hands. More solid may be the
word I’m looking for. It all goes back with something I have been saying for generations. The more comfortable a player ‘feels’t has a psychological effect, and just as you say, if you’re looking for a result and you
come even within a scintilla of said result, you feel better. May have more confidence, and look upon the world as a wonderful place. lolol.

And on the subject of preaching. Many times I write and people take it the wrong way. They shouldn’t. I am only voicing ‘my’ preference(s). Example? If I were to say that removing a slide spring is dumb, people
might chastise me for being uncharitable or insensitive. When in fact I am simply saying that ‘for ME removing the slide spring is dumb.’ Otherwise, with harmonica, I try not to cause negative waves.

sm0joe 

> On Aug 28, 2017, at 5:01 PM, Vern <jevern at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Reducing leakage in a harmonica does improve performance.  However, gasketing isn’t a very effective way to do it. In the vast majority of cases, leakage under the reedplate is minuscule compared to leakage through the opening reeds in a diatonic or through the slide in a chromatic. Although gasketing may reduce leakage by a tiny amount, the % reduction of total leakage is imperceptible.
> 
> After I have gone to the  trouble and expense of gasketing, if I wish and expect to hear/feel an improvement,  I will.  Alas, it is my pareidolia and confirmation bias at work.  This isn’t a character flaw but human nature.  My car runs better when the windshield is clean.  I like Coors beer because it is made with rocky mountain spring water.  I use Ivory soap because it is 99.44% pure.  Etc…………  The thing operated on hasn’t changed, but my subjective perception of it has.
> 
> Placing gaskets under the plate is like weatherstripping the windows in a room with an open doorway.
> 
> Why bother?
> 
> Vern
> 
>> On Aug 28, 2017, at 1:00 PM, Richard Hunter <rhunter377 at xxxxx> wrote:
>> 
>> "Aongus Mac Cana" wrote:
>> <I would be interested to hear the experiences of others who might have
>> tried
>> <this. Maybe I need to make the acquaintance of "Dee"
>> 
>> I used micropore tape gaskets for years, and I agree with Rick Epping:
>> they're not a good thing.  They trap a lot of crud in the instrument, and
>> you can't clean them up without replacing them.  On plastic combs, they
>> leave a residue of adhesive that interferes with solid contact between comb
>> and plate once removed.  In other words, the improved performance they
>> deliver is not worth the trouble they cause.
>> 
>> Dee's gaskets are another story entirely.  They go in clean and stay
>> clean.  They've improved the performance of my Seydel Session Steels--less
>> harsh and more even response--for a very reasonable price in terms of money
>> and effort.
>> 
>> I think it's worth the $5 it costs for a set of these gaskets to try them
>> if you're at all curious about how they might affect your harps.
>> 
>> Regards, Richard Hunter
>> 
>> -- 
>> Check out our 21st Century rock harmonica record "The Lucky One" at
>> https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/richardhunter
>> 
>> Author, "Jazz Harp" (Oak Publications, NYC)
>> Latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
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> 
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