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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Review - Zajac Combs and MB 1896 Conversion
Review - Zajac Combs and MB 1896 Conversion
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Rontana
345 posts
Aug 20, 2016
7:22 AM
I spent most of yesterday converting my MB 1896s (7) to screws, and replacing the stock combs with Andrew Zajac’s “Darkwood” offering. I’d previously flat-sanded the draw-reed plates of my MBs, sanded the original pearwood combs, and gapped the harps to my preference.

I’ve been very happy with my MBs. Most of mine sounded pretty good after the aforementioned tweaks (A Bb C D Eb F G) and a couple (Bb and C) sounded very good. My only complaint was that they did seem a bit leaky, especially at the high end.

So here’s my take on Andrews combs and the conversion process.

First off, the conversion process is extremely simple, especially if you have a drill press. Each harp took about 30 minutes (disassembly, drilling, tapping a few holes, and re-gapping if necessary).

More important is results.

The change in response, after installing the new combs, was pretty impressive on several levels. First, I could not believe what a difference an airtight harp would make. I’ve spent several hours playing all the keys over last night and this morning, and responsiveness is greatly increased in every key. It’s actually going to take me a bit to get used to, in a good way, as I’m able to use far less breath force than was previously required.

That aspect is especially notable on bends. Further, ease of playing on the high end of the harp is remarkable. Previously, I found myself having to strain a bit above hole six, and move a lot of air. Not so now.

Tone is good. I won’t say the Darkwood combs sound the same as the pearwood comb (to my ear . . . and I realize that’s subjective). They strike me as a bit brighter. That said, I’m not talking magnitudes brighter. There just seems to be a subtle difference in timbre. Again subjective, I seem to note an increase in volume with (as mentioned earlier) far less breath force. Maybe I’m imagining it, or maybe I’m hearing the notes clearly due to eliminating much of the leakage factor. Who knows

Also, it is handy to be able to rinse out the harps with a little water when need be (the combs don’t swell) and to easily dismantle.

I’ve very rarely written a review on anything, but I felt I should in this case. It’s an infrequent occurrence these days to buy a product that not only performs as claimed, but in fact exceeds those claims.

I consider that a big deal.

Andrew has no idea I’m writing this, but an excellent product (and he offered great service too, answering a couple of questions I had very promptly) should be recognized.

Last Edited by Rontana on Aug 20, 2016 7:29 AM
Crawforde
132 posts
Aug 20, 2016
11:17 AM
It has been my experience that Andrew gives amazing customer service.
Oh, his tools and combs are pretty cool too.
shakeylee
571 posts
Aug 20, 2016
11:58 AM
Fantastic !
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www.shakeylee.com
Thievin' Heathen
818 posts
Aug 21, 2016
2:27 PM
Love 'em. My Lee Oskars are almost magic and a few of my Special 20's are. I have a few Suzukis too, from cannibalized Promasters.

I highly recommend them. I always have a few on hand.
364,365,MB - If I break a pearwood comb while drilling I don't cry anymore. Just use one of the spares from Andrew.
groyster1
2870 posts
Aug 22, 2016
1:34 AM
I have several older mb 1896 that Andrew has converted with his combs,which are awesome and will last forever
arzajac
1786 posts
Aug 22, 2016
5:40 AM
Thanks for the positive feedback everyone! And thanks Ron for taking the time to write a comprehensive review!

"I could not believe what a difference an airtight harp would make"

Your not alone. Making the harp airtigh is one of the most straightforward things you can do, yet folks tend to dismiss or underestimate its benefit.

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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica Combs and Tools.

Last Edited by arzajac on Aug 22, 2016 5:40 AM
MP
3391 posts
Aug 22, 2016
6:21 PM
I have a few Zajac GM combs. Great product Andrew!


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