SteveC
2 posts
Dec 09, 2014
4:44 PM
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I'd like to invite everyone to check out my face book site featuring my new stainless steel custom combs for the Hohner MS harmonicas. You can search for Clubb Custom Combs, or click on this link below. They are available on Ebay. I'd be pleased to answer any question you may have.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clubb-Custom-Combs/790749084319357?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
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nacoran
8151 posts
Dec 10, 2014
2:06 PM
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Nice looking comb.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
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the_happy_honker
197 posts
Dec 10, 2014
3:26 PM
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The comb market is a tough one. It has evolved to the point where one can't just make a nice-looking comb and expect people to flock to it. You've got to tell potential customers a story, like how before Clubb combs, there were the dark ages, when combs were made of wood that would rot in your mouth as you played it. But now there is the Clubb comb, the ever-lasting, the comb that your children's children will be giving in testament to their childen. Tell us about the fantastic sonic properties of stainless steel, the exactitude of your CNC and the 18 hours of quality control. Tell us about yourself, how you are a retired aircraft engineer, the one who designed the iconic wing shape of the DC-9, and who now has turned his attention to the one thing in life that really matters - proper harmonica combs for everyone (or for the discerning harmonicist, if you want to want to go upmarket).
Look at who does business here at MBH and do what they do, the good-guy manner, helpful comments and fast, dependable service. Each seller has his schtick, too (earth-friendly combs, anyone?), if you don't have one you need to get one fast.
You also need a presence here on MBH. All the sellers, except maybe Rockin' Ron, were active on the forum before they started selling. People had an idea of who these guys were before they went throwing money at them.
I'm not trying to belittle your product or your efforts. I think what you have is pretty cool and I want you to succeed. But as I said the market is tough and you have to up your game
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Philosofy
625 posts
Dec 10, 2014
6:27 PM
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How much?
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SteveC
3 posts
Dec 11, 2014
4:42 PM
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You have some interesting points. There does seem to be some competition in the wood and plastic combs, but I haven't really seen any currently in the Stainless Steel. I'm not coming at this project from the big music name stand point. I'm coming from the manufacturing side. In the past, well known harmonica people have tried to have combs made and then sell them. One problem with this is the well known harmonica person doesn't know how to make them and neither does the shop that they take the idea to.
As far as telling a story about the dark ages before the Clubb comb, I'm hoping that's not necessary. Stainless steel combs are not for everybody. I'm sure the vast majority of players do just fine with stock out of the box combs. I'm looking for the few players who appreciate an extremely flat, air tight, durable, and easy to clean comb. Speaking of easy to clean, I just looked at one of my wood comb harps and I think there if stuff growing inside!
A stainless steel comb will not make a pro out of an average player, and good players know this. At 50 bucks they are more expensive than most wood or plastic combs, but I think they are a very good deal for anyone who needs precision that will last a life time.
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harpwrench
936 posts
Dec 11, 2014
7:38 PM
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No problems here yet. Ignorance is bliss.
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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arzajac
1527 posts
Dec 12, 2014
5:17 AM
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"Competitive" is accurate but it's not the first word I would use to describe the comb marketplace at the moment.
I'm very busy selling combs and I believe the other major comb guy is too. I've had to cut down on how much harmonica service and repair I can offer because I am quite busy with building custom harps and combs. Rockin Ron is helping and he is the exclusive dealer in the US for some of my products.
I think the comb market is competitive, yes, but it's also complimentary at the moment.
I think there is something for everyone; we offer different products.
What we offer is based on what we do best. And that takes us in different directions.
I make my combs myself, so that gives me the ability to make high-performance truly custom combs made to spec and made to order. I don't have to pay $300 for a prototype - if you want a hybrid comb or a comb with never-before seen features, I can tweak my designs and send you a comb within a few days.
Making my combs myself also means I don't have to pay another person's salary to do the work.
And if you don't want anything more than a comb that just works, I offer combs of random color and standard design at a fair price. Random color means less work for me and therefore better value for you.
I'm not a believer in fancy materials for harmonica combs - that's not the direction I take. But the other guy covers that direction very well and his prices reflect the exotic materials he uses.
"Easy to clean" is a new direction. I'll be watching where it takes you, Steve.
Best regards,
Andrew
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Dec 12, 2014 5:18 AM
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rainman
149 posts
Dec 12, 2014
7:14 AM
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I believe that Arzajac's are the best value comb that I have found and he's a great guy to do business with as well. I have Marine Bands, Crossovers and Deluxe s that all sport his combs and they all sound and look great.
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jiceblues
340 posts
Dec 12, 2014
8:39 AM
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my LO's & SP20's stock combs are easy to clean , too .
Just jokin' .
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WinslowYerxa
736 posts
Dec 12, 2014
5:05 PM
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Why MS combs? I made the original Discrete Comb for MS harps because they were the most accessible screwed-together sandwich harps in the mid-1990s. But now we have several Suzuki and Seydel models to choose from (Stainless reeds on a stainless comb, anyone?) and even the Marine Band Deluxe and Crossover.
Having bought into Vern Smith's subscription for stainless steel chromatic combs a few years back and having played concerts using the steel-combed Renaissance chromatic, I know and value stainless combs, and I'm intrigued to them offered for diatonics. But while some MS harps are quite good, my personal preferences lead me in other directions nowadays.
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Winslow
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Deepen your playing at the Harmonica Collective
Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Dec 12, 2014 5:09 PM
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SteveC
4 posts
Dec 12, 2014
10:07 PM
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I'm starting with the MS but I plan on spreading out in which ever direction there is the most need or interest. So any suggestions for other models is appreciated.
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Brendan Power
454 posts
Dec 13, 2014
1:05 AM
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Nice looking combs, Steve. I'm curious: were they milled with CNC machining, or cut via another method - waterjet, laser cutting, EDM?
Winslow is right, Hohner MS is not the most popular range to aim at. Getting your comb designed for the Hohner 1896 Marine Band and the derivatives that Winslow mentioned, as well as the Golden Melody, should get you most interest initially. There are not many offering stainless steel combs for those very popular models, or the Suzuki Manji and other Suzuki harps, so you should be able to carve out a niche of your own in the competitive comb market if you get them out quickly.
A couple of mods I'd suggest:
1. Since stainless steel is so hard, it doesn't give at all. The self-tapping reedplate screws used on modern harps tend to create a 'cratering' effect on the lower plate. This can cause it to lift off the comb. Countersinking the lower surface comb holes will negate this.
2. Players have different preferences on how they like the feel at the front. Some like the reedplates protruding slightly, others (like me) prefer them flush. Having the screw holes slightly slotted instead of round gives that front-to-back adjustment so players can get the look/feel they like best.
Good luck with your new enterprise.
Last Edited by Brendan Power on Dec 13, 2014 1:11 AM
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Philosofy
626 posts
Dec 13, 2014
9:22 PM
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but the slots for MS harps will fit Marine Band and Suzuki (not sure about Seydel) harps: you just need to drill different hole patterns.
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arzajac
1528 posts
Dec 14, 2014
5:36 AM
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MS series harps, at least, the ones that are still being produced today, are made with great reeds these days. They don't use short reeds anymore.
And the covers are sturdy, have lots of clearance for the low draw notes and they sound very good.
The weak point is the comb. If you swap out the stock comb with one that is flat, you get a harp that is comparable to a much more expensive harp.
MS harps have lots of potential. And it's easy to tease it out. Considering the low retail price, they are a great choice for tinkering.
Phil - MS system, Manji/Promaster, Lee Oskar and Hohner Marine Band/SP20/GM all have very similar slot dimensions. Yes, with some drilling and maybe some grinding down, you can make the reed plates of one fit the comb of the other.
I worked up a design for a one-size-fits-all comb that has the screw holes for every reed plate on the market except Seydel. Every reed plate can work. The thing is it's ugly and uncomfortable 100 per cent of the time, no matter what permutation you use.
Yes, it can be done, but not everything that can be done should be done. Unless you are having fun doing it!
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Dec 14, 2014 5:38 AM
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SteveC
5 posts
Dec 14, 2014
7:22 PM
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My stainless combs are laser cut and then machined and lapped for flatness.
I did notice the problem of the self tapping screw holes. Hohner drills all 5 holes but only taps 3 of them. What I am suggesting to people who buy my combs is tap the other 2 holes if you want to use all 5 screws. I give a link to Mcmaster Carr to get the correct tap.
Thanks for the suggestions on the other harp models. I was thinking that the Marine Band might be my next one to work with since it comes with a wood comb from the factory, and would benefit greatly from a stainless comb.
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WinslowYerxa
738 posts
Dec 15, 2014
11:34 AM
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You can use the self-tapping screws that come with an MS harp to tap the untapped holes in MS reedplates.
Even if you use American 0-80 screws, the metric tap from the Hohner screws will still work.
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Winslow
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Deepen your playing at the Harmonica Collective
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Buzadero
1222 posts
Dec 16, 2014
5:22 PM
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Steve,
Very nice. I'm a big fan of stainless. Can I ask what type of stainless you've used? As you well know, "stainless" is a pretty broad term.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Buzadero
1223 posts
Dec 17, 2014
4:48 AM
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Cool. Thanks.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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