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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
RECESSED is the wrong word
RECESSED is the wrong word
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Bonehed
8 posts
Apr 27, 2013
5:07 AM
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Thanks guys for the responses. I have shown my ignorance
by using the wrong words. I meant that the plates protrude
out over the comb.....causing the comb to be "recessed".
*see the Modern Blues Harmonica logo* I think you mean
recessed as in the area of the comb that the plates fit down into. I just don't like my tongue hitting the plates
before contacting the comb. Sorry for the confusion!!n
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Grey Owl
94 posts
Apr 27, 2013
5:42 AM
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Yes I think you are referring to the brass reed plates, attached to the comb. These do extend beyond the cover plates as seen on (as you say The Modern Blues Harmonica Logo)
On the harps I own the following harps are much more comfortable to play as the reed plates are slotted down within a plastic comb. The only protruding part you will feel is the plastic comb and this is not uncomfortable at all.
So for comfort try any of these:
Suzuki Harpmaster. A good, not too expensive harp.
Hohner Special 20. As above.
Hohner Pro Harp. All mine are old now but they are a pretty decent harp
Lee Oskar. Only own one in a minor key - Not a bad harp
Seydel Session Steel - A very
good harp with stainless steel reeds but a bit pricey.
The worst ones I have found are:
Hohner Golden Melody:- I really like these harps but they feel as if they have been sharpened on a whet stone!
Marine bands:- again I really like them but can be very uncomfortable.
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Last Edited by Grey Owl on Apr 27, 2013 5:44 AM
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jimbo-G
167 posts
Apr 27, 2013
10:00 AM
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I've got the same preference. I preffer the plates to totally flush with the comb. You can quite easily modify the harps to be this way. I do it to all my harps, the most recent being a manji, just take it to bits and drill the holes in the comb out a bit bigger this gives you an adjustable comb to plate type thing going on.
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nacoran
6742 posts
Apr 27, 2013
10:23 AM
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I think I understood you. The two terms are usually used in opposition. Recessed and protruding. They both refer to the state of the reed plate, but it's usually the comb that determines whether you're lips will be touching the reed plate, and by how much. Actually, there are a couple style variations. The typical recessed comb is what I think we were listing for you. That accomplishes what you were asking for. All recessed combs with one notable class exception, will keep your tongue and lips off the reed plate. The exception is Jellybean harps like the Golden Melody. They are 'recessed' in that the reed plate sits down in the comb, but only on three sides. The front of the reed plate still sticks out.
There are some harps have the more traditional sandwich style where the front of the reed plate lines up evenly with the comb. On unsealed wooden combs, that can change as the comb swells and contracts from moisture. Also, if you have one of these harps on some models there is enough play on the cover when you are tightening the screws that you can slide the cover forward or backward and expose or cover the top edge of the reed plate.
It's the comb design, either the recessed well for the reed plate to sit in, or the slightly adjustable screws holes that will determine whether the plate sticks out.
Some harmonicas are designed specifically with a small groove on the front of their reed plate. That groove is supposed to seat the front edge of the cover.
I used to think I hated all protruding reed plates- until I got a Seydel Blues Favorite from David Payne. I don't know if it was stock or if he'd sanded it. It doesn't bother my lip at all though.
I haven't seen it on any other harp really, but the cover on my Huang Silvertone (I don't know what year, or if it's the same now, I bought the harp used off of eBay) actually has a lip that comes down over the front of the harp, at least if you adjust it right, but it's a weird result. If they'd cut a notch for it to sit in it might have actually been a good design.
Anyway, if you want a harp that doesn't have a protruding reed plate, recessed combs really are the way to go. I've thought about asking a customizer if they could run a small ridge along the front of their comb tines to simulate the 'recessed' effect, but really, a little sandpaper to the sharp edge of the reed plate takes care of any jaggedness.
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Nate
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