FreeWilly
247 posts
May 27, 2012
9:40 AM
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Although Sp20/GM and MB are on the same reedplates, there is a clear division between the loudness of Special 20's (and Lee Oskar's and Solist pro's for example, but they don't share reedplates obviously) verses the other two. Why is that? Why are Special 20's so dull compared to the others? It can't be the screws: is has more than a MB. It can't be the plastic comb: GM's got that too.
Recessed reedplates? Why would that play less loud and less expressive?
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BigBlindRay
157 posts
May 27, 2012
9:52 AM
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Short answer? Cover plates.
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S-harp
40 posts
May 27, 2012
9:58 AM
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The cover plates have big impact on the sound and loudness. My SP20 are opened at the back as much as possible which improves the volume. MB's sidevents makes them sound louder acoustic to the player. Amplified the difference in sound remains but not as much in volume between these harps.
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The tone, the tone ... and the tone.
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S-harp
41 posts
May 27, 2012
10:01 AM
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(-:
I guess that would be the longer answer.
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The tone, the tone ... and the tone.
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GMaj7
33 posts
May 27, 2012
11:13 AM
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GM/MB/Sp20 don't have the same reed plates, though. The MB grooved and fits like a sandwich w/a groove for the covers. The Sp20 plate is smaller as it fits inside the comb (recessed). The reeds are generally inter-changeable between the MB & Sp20.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
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Last Edited by on May 27, 2012 3:07 PM
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FreeWilly
248 posts
May 27, 2012
12:55 PM
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Sp20 aren't that more 'open' than sp20 are they? I always thought it isn't in the plates. With open coverplates, to me they don't sound that much louder at all??
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nacoran
5736 posts
May 27, 2012
1:29 PM
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I think on the plates the only difference is the grove. GM and MB plates protrude, so maybe they transfer some noise into your oral cavity, but I think that's a long shot.
Volume differences would be much easier to test that tone differences. You could hook up something that provides constant psi to the hole on a harp and measure volume from a few different angles. I suspect, as has been suggested, that MB's sound louder to the person playing them because of the side vents, but not much louder to the audience. You could try all three harps in their initial configuration, and with their backs opened up, (try the MB both ways twice, once with the vents covered, once with the vents open).
It suspect it's how the covers allow the sound out, but it might be more complicated issues with airflow creating greater reed swings or something. Anyone have an air compressor with a calibratable air flow, some mics and some closed back harps they are willing to open up? (You'll probably need a long hose, and something to seal the end to the harp.)
edit- We need some enterprising person with a video camera and a good work space to start a YouTube show, sort of a Mythbusters for the harmonica! I'd watch. :)
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Nate
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Last Edited by on May 27, 2012 1:30 PM
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FreeWilly
250 posts
May 27, 2012
1:34 PM
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I had a very unscientific test the other day with a person at a meetup. He was blowing so hard on Manji's MB and GM, it made my ears bleed 10m away. It was ridiculous. Vains standing all out in his neck and everything. Than he picked up a sp20 and I could breathe again :)
MB's with sp20 plates per Jason Ricci seem loud.
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S-harp
42 posts
May 27, 2012
2:08 PM
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Also, as there somtimes differs more within the sex than between men and women, there can be more difference between two forexample OTB SP20s than between different types. The point is sometimes all variables and tolerances matches up and you get a loud harp OTB... and sometimes not.
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The tone, the tone ... and the tone.
Last Edited by on May 27, 2012 2:30 PM
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hvyj
2437 posts
May 27, 2012
3:29 PM
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I think it's the recessed comb design of the Sp20s. Sandwich style combs have better response and volume IMHO.
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lynn
10 posts
May 27, 2012
3:33 PM
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What is "GM"?
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