[Harp-L] Gaskets?

[flyingv8@xxxxx]

What is your opinion of flat sanding Vern?
Dee
---- Vern <jevern at xxxxx> wrote: 
> My interest is in understanding the  physics of the harmonica and not in helping or hurting your business. I have no objection to your selling whatever people will buy. 
> Testimonials and anecdotal evidence are standard elements of advertising. 
> 
> If I were to test your gaskets, my expectation that they are ineffective would probably affect my subjective perceptions.  My report would be an anecdote proving nothing.  I once connected a straw to the mouthpiece of a harmonica, glued shut the blow reed, and submerged it in water.  Then I observed where the bubbles emerged as I blew. 
> I saw a stream of bubbles emerging from the draw reed and none from under the plate.  This isn’t a difficult test to conduct. It is less work than installing gaskets. I used silicone rubber caulking to attach the straw and close the blow reed.  I suggest that you try it.
> 
> If you were trying to develop high pressure or vacuum in the reed chamber and there were no openings through the reeds, then a gasket would certainly be required because the only source of leakage would be under the plates..  However with air flowing through both reeds and pressure differentials in the range of ten inches of water, a tiny change in leakage under the plates has a negligible effect.
> 
> >> I am very skeptical of your claim that there is a "cushioning effect between the reed plate and comb that makes a subtle change in the tone”
> The tiny amount of sound that could reach your ear through the plates and comb is masked by the much louder sound of the modulated airstream.  As with the leakage under the plates, there may be a little but it is overwhelmed by a much more powerful effect.  Look up “audio masking” on Wikipedia. Starlight is present in the daytime but is masked by the much more powerful daylight.
> 
> Vern
> 
> 
> 
> > On Aug 29, 2017, at 3:11 AM, <flyingv8 at xxxxx> <flyingv8 at xxxxx> wrote:
> > 
> > Vern, I offered free gaskets before I started selling them to allow players to determine for themselves if they were worth using. While I am convinced that your intentions are good and that you are not trying to hurt me or my business I feel that since you did not take advantage of my offer and have not tried the gaskets for yourself that you may be missing something. Along with sealing the air and moisture there is a cushioning effect between the reed plate and comb that makes a subtle change in the tone and the feel of the harmonica. I hid a set of gaskets among 5 Sp20 harps and I could easily tell which one had the gaskets every time. I would still send you some free if you are open to trying them for yourself. Like I said, I don't think you are out to do me harm on purpose but you should give them a chance. Try it! You'll like it! 
> > Dee
> > ---- 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
> >> 
>