[Harp-L] ACE Chromatic New wood inserts by Tom Halchak at SPAH

[Rick Dempster]

Hang on....wood inserts...into what sort of comb? Combs are either plastic
or wood, no? Unless you've gone to the trouble of getting a
metal comb......aaarrgh! Personally, I'm with Vern, but I get the feeling
after hearing this discussion drone on for twenty-odd years,
that it's like atheists and believers arguing. Need I say more?
RD

On 20 July 2017 at 01:20, <laurentHarp at xxxxx> wrote:

> Hello Vern and all
>
> I’ve been off list for long while but I do remember a discussion about
> material effect some years ago. The conclusion at that time was that the
> material had no real impact on the sound (for an external listener). Since
> then I’ve discovered Raymond Brodur’s wooden harps and observed what I
> would call a real impact of the material on the sound.
>
> I’d be interested in your essay. Would you please email a copy?
>
> Laurent
>
>
>
> Vern <jevern at xxxxx> a écrit :
>
> The notion that plugs of various materials inserted into the comb of a
>> harmonica can affect the tone is laughable.
>> Making the claim is false advertising.
>> Charging an outrageous price for this gimmick is customer abuse.
>> Save yourself time and money by dismissing the ACE from serious
>> consideration.
>>
>> I have written a 7-page essay on “THE CASE AGAINST THE MATERIALS EFFECT”
>> I have submitted it for publication in Harmonica Happenings but it has
>> not yet been accepted or rejected.
>>
>> If you wish to read it, I’ll email a copy to you.
>>
>> As you can see, I have mixed feelings on the subject.  ;o)
>>
>> Vern
>>
>>
>> On Jul 18, 2017, at 6:05 PM, Rick Dempster <rickdempster33 at xxxxx>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Duh....sorry...what are "wood inserts" and where do they go? I'm a late
>>> starter on chrom and the more I practise the more maintenance troubles
>>> I have. If this improves the durability of the instrument, Im interested.
>>> RD
>>>
>>> On 19 July 2017 at 06:28, Joseph Leone <3n037 at xxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>> If you have a vice and some various scrap metals. or in  my case teak
>>>> flooring, around the house, you should be able to make these. They’re
>>>> not
>>>> rocket anthropology.
>>>> smo-joe     (who once told William Tell: “Aim a little higher”)lol
>>>>
>>>> On Jul 18, 2017, at 3:43 PM, Slim Heilpern <slim at xxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Wow, I didn’t think I could be surprised anew with respect to Hohner’s
>>>>>
>>>> ability to do stupid stuff. After all the publicity about the choice
>>>> between would and brass “Acoustic Coupling Elements”, to not even have
>>>> them
>>>> in stock (not to mention that crazy price) seems to point to
>>>> incompetence.
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My question for you (Michael) is, did you try both types of elements at
>>>>>
>>>> SPAH and notice a big difference?
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I’ve yet to try an ACE, but I’ve heard nothing but raves from those who
>>>>>
>>>> have. On the other hand, I literally have too many chroms at this point,
>>>> not intending to buy any more for a at least a bit...
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> - Slim.
>>>>>
>>>>> www.SlimAndPenny.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 18, 2017, at 11:21 AM, Michael Rubin <
>>>>>>
>>>>> michaelrubinharmonica at xxxxx> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Correction, the harp costs $700.  Still expensive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 12:59 PM, Michael Rubin <
>>>>>> michaelrubinharmonica at xxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I spent three salivating the ACE chromatic being heavily advertised.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I played it at SPAH 2016 with both brass and wood inserts.  It was a
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> great
>>>>
>>>>> harp.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Hohner rep warned me the wood inserts would not be included iof I
>>>>>>> didn't buy right then.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> That would be okay, I thought.  How much more could they be?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About 6 months ago I bought the ACE for $799, more than I have ever
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> spent
>>>>
>>>>> on a chromatic.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> To its credit,  it plays and sounds wonderful.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I contacted Hohner.  How much are the wood inserts.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> $150.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Shock.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> But we don't have any right now.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oh.  When are you going to get some?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No plans for the near future.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> To me, if I spend $700 on a harp, it should do my taxes.  Needless to
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> say,
>>>>
>>>>> I am frustrated with Hohner.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you or anyone you know has a similar story, I have good news.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Tom Halchak of Blue Moon Harmonicas is creating some wood inserts.
>>>>>>> He
>>>>>>> make use more than one type of wood.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> He is not going to make a large batch, but they should be available
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> sale at SPAH.  Of course, he ultimately would be able to do lots of
>>>>>>> different types of woods and metals, if there was a demand.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you Tom!
>>>>>>> Michael Rubin
>>>>>>> michaelrubinharmonica at xxxxx
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>