[Harp-L] HARMONICA MATERIALS AFFECT ON TONE- AN OPINION

[Ishta_HVA Ashram]

Thanks, Steve, for sharing.
By chance have you compared the Seydel Lightening which has a stainless
steel comb with other combs? If not, do you have any thoughts about the
stainless steel comb?

Bobby


On Fri, Nov 26, 2021 at 9:47 AM Mary Beth Hempel via Harp-L <
harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:

> Thanks, I'll take a look.
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>
>
> On Friday, November 26, 2021, 9:56 AM, Steve Klein <
> stevenlois1 at xxxxx> wrote:
>
> I have been playing harp since 1969. Back then, the Marine band was it.
> Since then, I have tried a lot of the ever growing choices. I treated
> myself
> to a Joe Filisko solid brass Special 20 harp many years ago. That inspired
> me to try experimenting, assembling harps using different materials and
> designs, to see what I liked best.
>
> I tried variations of materials for the combs and cover plates. The comb
> material had the biggest impact on the sound. I used combs from wood,
> plastic, aluminum, titanium, bamboo, composite, and brass. The brass combs
> (purchased from Tom Halchak, Blue moon harmonicas) sounded the best.  They
> have a more pleasing tone, sounding fuller and have a louder acoustic
> volume. Please note, I am referring to the RECESSED version (for $64.95).
> This version is airtight, so you can play with minimal breath and increased
> nuance. Assembly is easy, since you drop the reed plates into the perfectly
> fitted inset. Gap to your taste. These are true lifetime instruments. I
> have
> been playing them for 8 years and HIGHLY RECOMMEND them.
>
> The material for the cover plates did not improve the tone. I have tried
> wood, plastic, silver, brass and chrome. The silver muffled the tone, in an
> unpleasant way. The Filisko brass didn't enhance the tone, but at least it
> did not have a bad taste. Sadly, that is not the case for the current
> makers
> of brass cover plates, so I would avoid them.
>
> I would recommend, the powder coated cover plates, from Blue Moon
> harmonicas, since they seemed to make the tone clearer and are smooth on
> the
> lips (no bad or any taste). Also, they come in different colors, so it
> makes
> it easier to grab the right harp in a dark club.
>
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-- 
Ishtananda