arzajac
1152 posts
Sep 30, 2013
7:01 PM
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I just posted on my website that I will no longer be offering combs made out of wood.
I have cut dozens of combs from local reclaimed wood with excellent results. The wood is environmentally responsible and because of it's history/age/quality, it makes outstanding combs.
But I did a final cleaning on a batch of combs this afternoon and found they warped! This is a batch made from a piece of wood from the same source. So my conclusion is that no matter how good a piece of wood I use, there will always be the risk that a comb will warp. And a lot of work goes into that comb before I find out it's sub-standard!
So I'm done with wood. There are plenty of other sources of wooden combs for those who want it.
I never liked wood anyway. I only ever wanted to make Dark combs. They are much better than wood in every sense. I only offered wood because Matthew Smart told me it would be in demand - and right he was! But I want to offer combs that you can dunk under water and not worry about warping. I will not be able to do that reliably with wood.
Bamboo, or bamboo laminate, rather, is a different story. It's excellent for combs. The only thing is that it comes from half-way around the world and that's not the most environmentally-friendly process.
The only way I would feel comfortable about using Bamboo is if it was re-purposed. For example, off-cuts that would be otherwise discarded. Using that material in that case would have a different environmental footprint because I would be saving something from going into a landfill. Anyone have any ideas where I could find this?
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Sep 30, 2013 7:03 PM
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nacoran
7177 posts
Sep 30, 2013
7:52 PM
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I don't have any leads on the bamboo, but I do remember Buddha at one point was using resin and recycled jeans I think. It's was supposed to be very strong, a theoretically could be done in different colors. That would seem to be a fairly ecologically friendly way to go.
I know there are some tricks to keeping wood from warping, but they usually involve having to have very specific parts of the tree grain.
I've got at least one plastic comb that looks like finished wood. There are tricks for how you mix them to create grain like patterns. Would that work with your material?
The other trick I'd like to see custom comb guys crack is rounded corner combs. The problem with that, of course, is the reed plates and covers. Most reed plates need to be cut to have rounded corners and most covers (with a few exceptions) would need to be cut too. I've been thinking about that problem, and I was wondering if the solution might be to oversize the comb a little bit. It would only need to come out a little farther on the ends to let you round things a bit. It's kind of the solution that the Turbolids use, except they do it by using a plastic cover that goes over the end instead of actually extending the comb. Just a thought. :)
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Nate
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arzajac
1153 posts
Sep 30, 2013
8:05 PM
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Phil: The only problem with Bamboo is the ecological footprint of transporting it thousands of miles to me.
Nacoran: Buddha's home-made combs were indeed made from jeans and resin. My Dark combs are made from Paperstone, very similar only they are made of recycled paper and natural resins. Paperstone has an impressive datasheet with regards to environmental responsibility. If I remember correctly, they even recycle the water they use to make it so the net effect is that its production consumes almost no water nor does it pollute the water table. They *encourage* the use of off-cuts just so that they reduce waste. This is in stark contrast to DuPont who threatened to sue Richard Sleigh over using Corian off-cuts.
My point is I am not looking for a better material - I can't find anything better than what I already use for my Dark combs. But there is a demand for wood/bamboo. If I can't find an environmentally responsible source of bamboo, then I'll be a one-trick pony and only offer Dark combs. But if I can source bamboo and give even more people what they want, then I'll do that.
Also, to have perfectly rounded corners is easy, just assemble the harp and roll the sides over a running belt sander. Disassemble and finish/polish/seal the comb. Reassemble.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Sep 30, 2013 8:07 PM
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harpwrench
690 posts
Sep 30, 2013
8:21 PM
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Hohner has a patent pending on bamboo combs, might want to check into that before spending too much on the project.
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The best you know is usually only as good as the best you've had.
Spiers Custom Harmonicas
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nacoran
7179 posts
Sep 30, 2013
9:02 PM
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Arzajac, that's fine if you have a belt sander handy! I'm thinking more of a way to buy a comb and just slap the comb on the harp.
I just took harp inventory and my collection needs some work. I'll probably work up something with my Dremel. I'm still trying to figure out a way to convert, with my limited workshop and woodworking tools, a bunch of harps over to use my magnet system. It's no problem converting the injection molded combs over, but the solid combs are hard to do with just a Dremel, a TV tray and glue. :) I took stock of my playing set and it needs a little work to get some problem harps back in service. I've got the cash to do it as long as I spend wisely. I just listed out all my harps today and went down the list to see what needed what done. Trying to figure out a parts list. I'm dreading trying to do screw conversions since my one previous attempt ended up disastrously. I'm was on your site today (and Tom's) looking at different combs. I just have to figure out which combination of repairs and upgrades gets me the best working set. (I may start a thread to solicit suggestions, but it's going to include at least a couple of your dark combs.)
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Nate
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HarpNinja
3502 posts
Oct 01, 2013
3:47 AM
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Joe beat me to it. As someone with first hand - in the room with the people - knowledge, be careful with bamboo as there are certainly patents involved, and people get patents knowing they may need to enforce them.
BTW, check out the early XO combs compared to the newer and not the difference.
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
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Buzadero
1131 posts
Oct 01, 2013
4:59 AM
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Patent a material in a specific application? I think you can challenge that if you're willing to take on the battle. That seems like a tough claim to enforce.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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HarpNinja
3503 posts
Oct 01, 2013
5:36 AM
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I don't remember the exact language, but I think the use of the material specific to how it is manufactured is what the patent is for.
All I know is that that patent holder has communicated with other people that have made bamboo combs and have a lot more legal power than a small business.
This isn't heresy...
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
My Website
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Buzadero
1132 posts
Oct 01, 2013
5:47 AM
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I can purchase bamboo from a myriad of sources and manufacturers. It is marketed for a variety of applications. It is not a proprietary chemical compound like Corian. They obtain it from growers and harvesters. I can use it for flooring, jewelry boxes, or cut it into really cool shapes that look like combs. I can sandwich these pieces between reedplates from several different harmonica manufacturers.
I might use these myself or sell them to others. The burden of proof is on the claimant that I have somehow infringed on the so-called patent holder.
What a load of crap.
Come and get me.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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HarpNinja
3504 posts
Oct 01, 2013
6:31 AM
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I am not saying there isn't a workaround of sorts, but here's the patent: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&p=1&p=1&S1=((bamboo+AND+comb)+AND+harmonica)&OS=bamboo+AND+comb+AND+harmonica&RS=((bamboo+AND+comb)+AND+harmonica)
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
My Website
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arzajac
1156 posts
Oct 01, 2013
7:25 AM
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Very helpful input, thanks!
I slept really really well last night after making my decision.
I feel really good about my Dark combs and I can really do without the stress of having to deal with wood.
The trouble around bamboo is the final nail in the coffin. I'm just going to produce dark combs. I'm super-busy as it is and I guess I can't aim to please everybody.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
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