FreeWilly
141 posts
Apr 03, 2012
11:09 AM
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I stumbled upon this vid by Richard Sleigh.
http://rsleigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/corian-comb-swap2.mov
He made that to inform you how to swap out MB combs for his corian ones. It predominantly shows you how to flatten the drawreedplates to that intend.
I was wondering: is this a useful procedure for every harp (even if you don't swap the comb)? Seems to me, it would be. And it seems to be very little work! But before I set to work, I thought I'd check with the peers.
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Tonyh
32 posts
Apr 03, 2012
11:33 AM
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Yea sure it is a good idea.
Flattening the comb and the reed plate make a good impact on quickly improving a harp. The goal is to have a flat surface bettwen the reedplate and the comb so there is no air leakage.
If you have a harmonica that you can dissasemble and reassemble easily (with screws) go for it. With a marine band it is more tricky since you will need to either put screws in it or try to put it back together with the existing nails wich is not ideal. I think david Payne as a youtube video showing how to reassemble using nails.
This richard Sleigh video is very good. Just make sure you don't put to much pressure if your flat sand the comb. Obviously flat sanding the reedplate only will have less impact than flat sanding the reedplate and the comb.
What brand of harp are you planning to do this on?
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FreeWilly
142 posts
Apr 03, 2012
11:41 AM
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Thanks for the input.
I want to do this on Marine Band Deluxes.
I just looked at the Hendrick site. (The Corian Combs they sell are half as expensive as the ones R. Sleigh sells. Is there a quality difference anyone knows of? And is Corian better than diamondwood?) They have a remark on the diamondwood section, stating you can have them with small holes for the rivets or perfectly flush.
"Marine Band Deluxe/Crossover combs can be ordered without the divets (for protruding rivets). This allows for better compression, but you will need to flat sand the back side of the draw reedplate. Please tell us how you like it!"
So are standard MB combs with holes for the rivets? It that what I have been seeing along the comb?
Thanks!
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Libertad
61 posts
Apr 03, 2012
12:41 PM
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Freewilly, Hetrick offers a number of options and seems to offer even more if you email direct. I have recently had a few MB combs off him, which I have been really pleased with. My personal preference is for the ones without the rivet recess and without holes. But these do require more work flattening the reed plates, as per Richards video. The combs I received were really nicely finished.
As I understand it some colours require more finishing and black is the most labour intensive, so prices from different vendors may differ.
I havn't tried the Diamondwood, as I am more than pleased with the Corian.
Last Edited by on Apr 04, 2012 1:52 AM
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harpaddict
55 posts
Apr 03, 2012
1:17 PM
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The Richard Sleigh combs are thicker and polished to a mirror finish. For flat sanding your reed plates I use Crocus Cloth or Emery cloth sand a piece of glass. Work in a circular motion and sand until the scratches are across the entire reed plate. This will make a big difference if thee comb is flat too.
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Jon Harl
5731 Meridian Ave
San Jose, CA
95118
jonharl@mac.com
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Tonyh
33 posts
Apr 03, 2012
6:47 PM
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In my opinion it would be better to order the one without the rivet hole . The one with the hole is only if you don't want to trouble yourself with the flattening of the reedplate.
On Marine Band deluxe reedplate if you dissasemble your harp you will notice that on the side that meet the comb of the draw reedplate the rivets are not flush with the comb. They protrude a little. That's why you need to flat sand the comb if you get the flush comb.
Just flat sand the reedplate like in Richard's video and you won't have any problem with a perfectly flush comb.
I use dymondwood and I like it. Some people find there is a weird taste to it but I don't. Corian is very nice too. Maybe test both and decide wich one you prefer. You can't go wrong with any of these.
If I'm not clear or you have other questions don't hesitate I'll be glad to help
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FreeWilly
144 posts
Apr 04, 2012
1:47 AM
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Thanks everybody.
The only question I would still have is: Would this procedure help the compression on a standard MB (deluxe) comb? Or do they have holes that will otherwise be 'empty'.
Thanks again!
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Tonyh
34 posts
Apr 04, 2012
11:04 AM
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I'm not exactly sure to understand your question but I don't see any inconvenient to flatten the reedplate and keep the stock MB deluxe comb.
I'm not sure if there is any varnish on the top and bottom for the MB deluxe comb ( I know there is on the tines) but if there is none you might as well flat sand the comb while your are at it using the same procedure.
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