MP
178 posts
Apr 20, 2010
3:43 PM
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i see www.harpcase.com has maple combs sealed w/ beeswax for SP20s, GMs, etc. etc.
was thinking of checkin' 'em out on a SP20 and a GM to see if i could get closer to the tone of my MB 1896s. ( of course i would open the backs and sides of the covers.)
they are $15 a pop which sounds incredibly inexpensive- if they are pefectly flat. even if the aren't they could be flat sanded.
anyone try these combs yet or similar?
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nacoran
1732 posts
Apr 20, 2010
5:33 PM
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I imagine it will work pretty well for the SP20's for getting the tone like a MB, but the GM's are equal tuned so they will still sound more GM-ish. Probably.
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Nate
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hvyj
291 posts
Apr 21, 2010
6:25 AM
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You know, the composite combs Buddha makes sound awfully good. He can make them for any harp and in any width. AND they don't swell.
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Kyzer Sosa
421 posts
Apr 21, 2010
2:09 PM
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im ordering one this weekend from buddha. keepin it in the extended family!
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MP
180 posts
Apr 21, 2010
3:59 PM
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thanks guys,
@ nacoran.. i'll change the ET tuning on the GM to 7 limit JI.
how much is a BUDDHA comb? not all us yanks are floatin' in dough and this is just another experiment.
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MP
181 posts
Apr 21, 2010
8:34 PM
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thanks wrench,
that is pretty much what i was getting at. you see, i figured since the reeds are interchangeable,(individually) and i have lots of parts, i could build MB frankenharps out of plastic jobs.
iv'e gotten spoiled by the sound of the marine bands i customized. the SP20s and GMs play great, but sound like (as they should) like SP20s and GMS.
i take it you believe comb material is irrelevant to tone?
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HarpNinja
400 posts
Apr 22, 2010
6:47 AM
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Cover plate design seems to have the biggest effect on the tone from MB's to 20's to GM's in my limited experience. Combs seem to be more a matter of comfort non-swelling than anything.
I have about a dozen of Buddha's composite combs...one GM and the rest are for MB's. The come drilled, rounded, thick, and ready to go. Adds to my cost a bit, BUT I don't have to seal anything and my drilling time is cut down. Plus, they look gorgeous and can be reused down the road.
I do see where getting the MBD and flat sanding/sealing is probably the most cost affective way to go if you want a non-plastic comb.
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barbequebob
737 posts
Apr 22, 2010
7:12 AM
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I once thoought comb material made a big difference but over the years, the comb material has very little, tho some do make a difference, much of the time not very noticeable, but some materials a bit more than others, but the things that clearly DO make a big difference are the cover plates, the reed material and its dimensions, and the biggest X -actor being the person playing it, all in that order. The other thing to make a GM more MB-like is ditching the ET tuning.
Comb is part comfort, part personal taste more than anything else.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2010 7:14 AM
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Buddha
1662 posts
Apr 22, 2010
7:51 AM
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"Comb is part comfort, part personal taste more than anything else."
You're speaking of standard combs. I do different things with my combs, thicker, thinner, deeper channels etc... and that stuff DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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CMo
19 posts
Apr 22, 2010
12:11 PM
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This may be a bit off topic but: I just got my first MB. Played Special 20s before this. It seems the Special 20 had bigger holes and is MUCH more comfortable in my mouth. The MB seems to "catch" on my lips sometimes and I can feel a distinct ridge in my mouth. The smaller holes on the MB seems to be throwing my movement off, so that I am missing single notes more often. Those are my observations...my question is this: Is there any advantage of one over the other (Special 20/Marine Band)?
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Learning is a journey, not a destination... -BL
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MP
184 posts
Apr 22, 2010
12:26 PM
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wrench,
i'll occasionally get upturned noses from players for souping up other guys LOs and 20s. indeed, i used to be a harp snob myself.
last night i drilled out and adjusted MB plates( your RX) and put them on a 20. slight difference.
think i'll ditch the comb idea. but then again....maple looks kind of cool.
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Kyzer Sosa
428 posts
Apr 22, 2010
2:14 PM
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CMo: MB holes seem to be unique to themselves. yes they are smaller than most any other harp and tradition probably has a lot to do with that. I like the bigger holes, personally, but after an hour or two with your MB, youll get used to the minor differences.
try this: warble on your Sp20 and then on your MB, i find it much easier to do on the 1896, and it sounds better when theres more wood in between the holes. IMO
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Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2010 2:14 PM
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CMo
22 posts
Apr 23, 2010
7:44 AM
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Kyzer Sosa: I spent most of last night playing back and forth between the MB and the 20. I have to say that I have a differnet opinion of the MB now. You are absolutely right that a warble on the MB is much easier/sounds better.
Funny story: I got that MB (and the little plastic case it comes with). Can't find the case for the 20, but I realize that I have to protect these things from the lint in my pocket and the debris in my motorcycle bag. I played the MB for a few minutes and immediately stuck the 20 in the MB case, saying to myself that the MB would have to earn its place in the comfy case. Well last night it got its home back!! Respect!
What you mean by more wood between the holes, you on about some custom set-up or something?
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-[][][][][][][][][][]-
Learning is a journey, not a destination... -BL
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Kyzer Sosa
441 posts
Apr 23, 2010
2:35 PM
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the holes are bigger on the 20 and the area (comb tines) in between the holes on a 20 is smaller than on the MB, theres just thicker tines in between holes on a MB, thats all... no customs. i think that has a lot to do with why i think it warbles better.
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