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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Which GM combs to buy?
Which GM combs to buy?
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J-Sin
133 posts
Apr 11, 2013
11:30 AM
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I'm thinking of replacing all my factory GM combs with custom made ones. Tired of that brittle plastic and leakiness.
I have one ebony comb that has made one of my GM's my ultimate favorite harmonica. It allows me to bend and overbend notes like no other harp, even with just basic regapping. It was made by this German store keeper (HarpOnline), but they quit business a long time ago.
In addition to that I have 3 Sjoeberg combs, but for some reason they haven't suited my style of playing. They're beautiful and nice, but I think the holes might be too wide or something. I just can't get them to play that good, the "action" feels shallow to me.
So all this in mind, what currently available combs would you suggest? I'm looking for airtight combs with a clean, concentrated sound. And narrow holes with NO rounded edges. Just like the regular plastics but more solid.
Reynolds? Jim? Hetrick? Blue Moon? Should it be exotic wood or maybe even brass?
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Reed To The Beat!
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arzajac
1030 posts
Apr 11, 2013
12:12 PM
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I am in the process of making my own combs. I have prototypes done and am working with CNC mills and laser cut facilities. I am trying out a water-resistant material that is easier to flatten, yet less brittle than Corian. The big thing about it is that it is made from recycled and environmentally sustainable materials, hypoallergenic and beautiful. I am also looking into using river-recovered wood (I.E. two-hundred-year-old trees, cut down 100 years ago and preserved underwater away from sunlight and oxygen. You can't get wood like that just anywhere...)
I am making these primarily for myself since working on stock combs is so time consuming. I will still be hand-flattening each comb myself, though.
In addition to using these combs for my own needs, I will be selling them at a fair price. I don't plan on offering every comb under the sun, just ones that I think can offer an excellent result. I don't think a lot of bells and whistles are needed. Just something airtight, resilient and nice to look at.
If you can wait a few weeks (okay.. probably a little longer...), I plan on offering Hohner Marine Band (one single comb to fit every MB from Hicksville to current MBs, Deluxe and Crossover), GM and MS and Seydel 1847.
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Last Edited by arzajac on Apr 11, 2013 1:48 PM
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harp-er
370 posts
Apr 11, 2013
7:49 PM
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I'm enjoying several Hetrick bamboo combs on my GM's, but unfortunately they aren't being made any more. I wonder if there might be a supply of them anywhere, just lying around waiting to be requested by someone? Maybe Hetrick has some left?
Oh, but these do have rounded edges, so, never mind.
I also have a couple of Hetrick's corian combs, which are equally nice, in my opinion, but they also have rounded tines.
Last Edited by harp-er on Apr 11, 2013 7:58 PM
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Kingley
2530 posts
Apr 11, 2013
10:08 PM
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I have a couple of acrylic GM combs from Tom Halchak at www.bluesharmonicas.com. I'd recommend them to anyone.
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Baker
290 posts
Apr 12, 2013
3:15 AM
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I get mine from Chris Reynolds, hard wood ones. Beautifully made and have greatly improved the responsiveness of my Marine Bands.
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