boris_plotnikov
76 posts
Apr 13, 2010
3:50 AM
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Question mostly for Buddha and Elk River and maybe someone else.
I'm thinking about making my own combs to replace sh*t plastic ones for Golden Melodies and swelling ones for Marine Bands.
My father is an engineer at big plant and has ability to use different machines.
How does the thickness or comb affects tone and response?
Marine Band use two different comb sizes: for long slotted harps and for short slotted harps. How does the lenght of comb slot affects tone and response?
What do you thing about air channels like here http://www.masterharp.com/GMCustomCombs.htm???
... I have to try different types of wood or maybe some plastics...
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Last Edited by on Apr 13, 2010 3:50 AM
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nacoran
1647 posts
Apr 13, 2010
12:16 PM
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Boris- I'm no expert, but it seems fat combs are better for deep keys to give the low notes room to swing. I've tried plastic, aluminum, regular wood, and one of Elk's custom chestnut sealed combs. The good combs round the end of the tines a little, and or make the hole a little circular, and are sanded beautifully flat, to the point where they start to shine. Regular wood combs bother my lips, but the good ones rock. There are lots of options though, wood composites, Lexan, metal composites. I'm torn between a custom comb and a metal combs.
My two favorite combs are the aluminum comb for my Seydel Blues Favorite and Elk's Chestnut comb. (But I ordered both through Elk River and he's off with Harrison now.)
From what I know about long and short slot, long slots sound warmer and bluesier. Short slots sound brighter and more folksy. Of course, there are those fancy discrete combs too. If I could play with any material I'd try the new grade of bullet resistant glass. It's a transparent aluminum ceramic. Of course it looks like it would run a couple hundred dollars for enough for each harp. Oh well. Maker of Things does wonderful looking brass combs, but I'd hate to have to lug a whole case full of those around.
There are a couple other good comb guys on here. There was a thread a little while back trying to figure out who all here was who.
edit: here's the link to that thread.
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/566993.htm
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Nate
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Last Edited by on Apr 13, 2010 12:19 PM
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barbequebob
695 posts
Apr 13, 2010
12:50 PM
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You will also need to take into account the reed profile as well as the width of the holes all in conjunction with the height as well because those have to be looked at as a sort of a package deal to offset different things, all of which do have an effect on the overall sound, both positive as well as negative, so there may not be a completely clear cut answer to this question.
I'm not fond of the usual cheapie ABS plastic combs, but wood combs that are properly sealed, using either pearwood, peachwood, or maple, I do like, but also hand milled lucite as well. Most metal combs I really don't care for because there's a huge emphasis on the highs, and certain materials are gonna be really heavy in terms of weight. Aluminum have rusting problems that I'm not fond about. The best metal combs I've ever run across are made from Titanium, which has a much darker tone than most metal combs tend to have, to my ears.
The two slot lengths that are used in the MB combs have more of an effect on the brightness of the tone as well as making sure that air isn't getting wasted in the slot.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
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Grillslinger
77 posts
Apr 13, 2010
1:16 PM
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I recently photographed one of those combs. Here are the photos if you want a better look.
http://picasaweb.google.com/107489102287043622845/CustomGoldenMelodyCombByDickSjoeberg#
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nacoran
1654 posts
Apr 13, 2010
8:00 PM
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Grill- Wow, those are purdy!
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Nate
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OzarkRich
186 posts
Apr 13, 2010
8:51 PM
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@bbqbob: "Aluminum have rusting problems that I'm not fond about."
Do you simply mean surface layer of oxidation or actual red rust? Hohner, Suzuki and Seydel aluminum combs are anodized. I've never had problems with rusting or oxidation with any of those three. Some of my Hohner and Suzuki combs are over ten years old and no problems.
My brass combs have tarnished though (still my favorite tone wise).
Just curious.
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Ozark Rich
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HarmonicaBob
26 posts
Apr 13, 2010
8:52 PM
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Boris,
I know you are interested in producing your own combs, but for $15 you can purchase wooden combs for GM's, SP20's, etc from www.harpcase.com. Ronnie Shellist has a new video re: harp cases, but they sell sealed maple combs as well.
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Brendan Power
14 posts
Apr 14, 2010
12:31 AM
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Hi Boris, good to see a new comb maker in the making.
If you want to offer something different and interesting (to me at least), how about considering a thinner comb option amongst your prospective range? Most combs are about 6mm thick, but I've started using the 5mm ones from the Suzuki Overdrive with other reedplates and covers, and find that the playing accuracy I get from them (especially at high speed) is superior to the normal comb thickness.
However, the Overdrive comb material isn't my favourite, and it would be great to have other options in the same thickness.
As far as I know, no other custom comb maker offers 5mm combs, so it could be a nice little niche market all to yourself (for a while, until others copy :) First I suggest you try putting some GM plates and covers on an Overdrive comb and see what I mean. But beware drilling through the comb tines: be very careful, as the material is brittle and prone to break easily.
Anyone else here tried thinner diatonic combs?
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Buddha
1602 posts
Apr 14, 2010
12:40 AM
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I can makes combs for any thickness at the touch of a button.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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7LimitJI
93 posts
Apr 14, 2010
4:00 AM
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If anyone can demonstrate the ability to hear differences between comb types under controlled conditions, they can win $1000 wager!
See here, its not me !
http://www.harp-l.com/pipermail/harp-l/2009-April/msg00234.html
I have always thought it was the cover plate that made the greatest difference to the sound.
Reed type and dimensions will make a difference too.
Comb type is only for comfort/longevity.
Never tried thinner ones though.
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Last Edited by on Apr 14, 2010 4:01 AM
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hvyj
262 posts
Apr 14, 2010
4:37 AM
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Yes indeed, Buddha can make combs of any thickness, and he has done that for me. Like Brendan, I find that thinner combs have quicker response. It's very noticeable.
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phogi
395 posts
Apr 14, 2010
12:56 PM
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This is interesting to me, as I was under the impression that a taller comb made for a better tone. Is is the taller comb itself, or what the taller comb encourages the plaer to do?
But if a thinner comb plays with faster response, I'd sure like to try it. How thin can you go before the reeds start hitting each other on a bend or overblow?
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GermanHarpist
1344 posts
Apr 14, 2010
3:05 PM
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I'd say it has something to do with the resonance chamber. There is one specific chamber size that is optimal for a certain pitch, and all the other are either suboptiamally big or small. I have no clue what conclusions follow out of this...
The best comb hight could also be about optimal airflow... but I'm going with resonance. ;)
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YT
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Buddha
1612 posts
Apr 14, 2010
3:15 PM
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GH, I'm getting ready to send you a harp soon. I know you like to experiment so I'll toss in a couple of other combs for you to play with.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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GermanHarpist
1346 posts
Apr 14, 2010
3:36 PM
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Oh, that is very kind!
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YT
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nacoran
1663 posts
Apr 14, 2010
7:56 PM
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I know it would take a lot of work, but I wonder if, on GH's theory there is an optimum chamber size for each pitch, you could cut your plate and mount it to a sort of stepped comb. You'd have to block the gap, sort of like the difference between indoor and outdoor stairs. It might be more interesting to try on an extended harp, and you'd have to make it so the front edge still stayed in contact with the cover.
I wish I was more handy and motivated. I still haven't gotten around to my candy bar decoupage harmonica.
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Nate
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