MP
3239 posts
Jun 29, 2014
2:52 PM
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Wow! Got a few of Andrew's aka arzajac recycled composite combs for SP/20s,GMs, an acrylic comb for MB types, and a cool device he calls a French Tuner. They are AWESOME! I haven't enjoyed a product/products this much since Matt Smart was selling dymonwood and exotic hardwood combs in every color under the sun.
Being as they are recycled materials the combs come in various shades of dark brown but on the whole color is uniform. After he cuts the combs he flat sands each and every one by hand to insure flatness. Any doubts I harbored regarding a flat comb improving harp tone has been removed. I've yet to install the MB acrylic comb because I'm backed up w/ harp repairs and moving. SAME MAILING ADDRESS FOLKS.
These are products after my own heart. I'm big on recycling everything from turning drinking bottles into park benches or re-using every possible part of a dead harmonica. BTW I'm send a guy a bunch of MB cover plates so he can make a hat band out of them.
FRENCH TUNER- I asked Andrew about the name of this cool device and his answer didn't enlighten me one bit as I know nothing of French culture. No matter. His French tuner is like the tuning caps Hetrick put out when Smart worked for Scott Hetrick. I once attached two Hetrick tuning caps to piece of tongue depressor perform the same task as the French Tuner. It was unreliable so I forgot about it.
Well, here comes arzajac w/ the French Tuner. You can test octaves on an unattached blow reed plate. It's great for checking the bottom reed plate too. Previously I wouldn't start tuning till I had my plates on the comb. Blow 1 and blow 4 were tongue blocked as were draw 1 and 4 and so on. Now I can ballpark tuning faster before assembly and Andrews French Tuner is a tool I use every single day. Repair guys know you never have accurate tuning till the cover plates are installed but I like to get close before full harmonica assembly. SuperBee told me he has a FT made of acrylic but his eyes aren't swift so he put a colored sticker or something on it to see it better. Mine is the brown like the combs.
GREAT WORK ANDREW ZAJAC! Mahalo, Mark
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Jul 02, 2014 1:12 PM
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robbert
331 posts
Jun 29, 2014
3:15 PM
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I have also found that Andrew's combs significantly improved the playability of some of my old harps. I also like that they are made from non-toxic recycled stuff. They have a nice heft, as well. Somewhat denser than wooden and plastic combs, but not heavy like some metal combs. They are also very reasonably priced.
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Scoltx
117 posts
Jun 29, 2014
6:39 PM
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I recently received a couple of GM's setup by Andrew. One with the dark comb, one stock comb. Both harps play great! I noticed the dark comb was thinner than the factory GM comb. Wasn't sure how I'd like it but it's pretty awesome. Additionally I had him tune that one in compromise, it's now my favourite harp!. Regretting not getting the dark comb on the second one.
Scoltx
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Philosofy
571 posts
Jun 29, 2014
6:47 PM
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Happy Birthday MP! And I'm looking forward to those covers!
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Kingley
3622 posts
Jun 29, 2014
10:38 PM
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I got to try one of Andrew's dark combs when I played a friends harp which had one fitted. Very nice indeed. Smooth on the mouth, fast playing, yet still allowing for precision. Much better in my opinion than the Bamboo comb used on the Crossover, or the Deluxe and 1896 sealed Pearwood combs. They are so good I am considering changing out my stock combs for them.
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MP
3240 posts
Jun 30, 2014
10:53 AM
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Thanks Philosofy, soon come! I'm glad you agreed to compromise.
@ Scoltx I tune all my GMs to Compromise. I think they sound so much better that way. It is almost common request I get on repairs.
Oh, I think Andrews combs are more durable than most composite combs. In other words, I don't have a heart attack when I drop them. We are harp players and harp players drop their harps and mics too all the time. I need durable gear. Andrews combs fit that requirement.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Jun 30, 2014 10:54 AM
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Diggsblues
1404 posts
Jun 30, 2014
12:45 PM
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Andrew work is great !!!!!!!
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SuperBee
2097 posts
Jun 30, 2014
3:54 PM
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I must get some of those combs for my old 1896 MBs.
That FT is a good tool. I just tuned 5 harps on a cold day, here in the Tasmanian winter. It was good to be able to tune the blow plates off the harp as much as possible. I needed to wipe them down very often...every blow in fact. They're going home to NSW...much warmer up there.
I love tools from Andrew, a great little set. I really like that draw scraper I got from Richard Sleigh too. For tuning at the rivet end especially I found it a boon.
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arzajac
1417 posts
Jun 30, 2014
8:45 PM
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Thanks everyone for all the kind words! You have made my day!
Superbee, I read your other comments the other day and I was out-of-town and not able to answer. Thanks so much!
I'm thrilled to be able to have so many happy customers. Harps cost so much these days that you shouldn't have to study rocket science or spend an arm and a leg to get your harp to do what you want it to do.
Your positive comments keep me going!
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Jun 30, 2014 8:46 PM
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1847
1918 posts
Jun 30, 2014
9:12 PM
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so all the time i spent with astrophysics has been wasted ?
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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groyster1
2627 posts
Jul 01, 2014
10:10 PM
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Ive sent many mb 1896s to Andrew for fundamental service....the comb is part of the service....no extra cost and the marine bands are way better upon return
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MP
3241 posts
Jul 02, 2014
1:18 PM
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Finally I got around to giving you the deserved Kudos Andrew. I love the FT. I have a draw scraper but it's not my favorite tool. The FT is my tool of the month. Personally, I prefer to tune w/ a rotary tool and good files.
The draw scraper has come in handy.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
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1847
1925 posts
Jul 02, 2014
1:45 PM
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mine just came today. i like it
just got an email from master harp
my expensive tuning table is now ready
wont be needing that.
how about making one for the draw plate?
it would just need to cover one more slot
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SuperBee
2099 posts
Jul 02, 2014
5:52 PM
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All my painstakingly-tuned reeds have drifted...dammit...
That sjoberg tuner...hmm...seems it's no magic bullet either...
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1847
1926 posts
Jul 02, 2014
6:36 PM
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you have a sjoeberg tuner?
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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Harp Study
42 posts
Jul 02, 2014
8:39 PM
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I got a golden melody from Andrew with one of his combs and just tuning. Sounds and plays fantastic; it quickly became my favorite harp.
His prices are unbelievably low in my opinion. In fact I thought that I must be missing something when I seen the price. Now if I could just get him to move to the States so the shipping was a little cheaper I would be all set..;-)
If you are considering ordering from Andrew I say go for it. You wont regret it. I know I will be doing so again at some point.
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SuperBee
2101 posts
Jul 02, 2014
9:10 PM
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Nope, I just started checking it out
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