Todd Parrott
5 posts
May 07, 2010
12:42 AM
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I just got 7 new combs, some exotic hardwoods, some dymondwood, and some acrylic. My intention is not to start an endless debate on comb materials, but to mention that a thinner comb (such as my acrylic combs) does seem to make the harp more responsive than a standard comb.
I was chatting with Chris Reynolds (one of the nicest guys in the world) about combs the other day, and he brought this to my attention. This may not be anything new to some of you, but for me this is the first time I've done an A-B comparison and I can certainly tell a difference. (Of course, if you put a set of crappy reed plates on the comb, the comb itself won't help.)
Has anyone else experienced this? Are there any negative aspects associated with using a slightly thinner comb?
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GermanHarpist
1419 posts
May 07, 2010
6:34 AM
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I know that Buddha likes his comb a little thicker... and I'd guess that it has something to do with sound not responsiveness. It could be that that's the trade-off.
But I haven't done experimentation with that myself yet.
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YT
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Oliver
162 posts
May 07, 2010
6:35 AM
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Hi Todd,
I am by no means an expert, but this is something I thought a bit about. In theory, wouldn't a wider comb imply a larger volume of air in the chamber, and therefore more air to evacuate before a flow of air is created?
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GermanHarpist
1420 posts
May 07, 2010
6:38 AM
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"...and therefore more air to evacuate before a flow of air is created?"
Or rather, it would take a longer time for the air pressure to build up.
But yes, that sounds like a plausible explanation for todds observation.
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YT
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Oliver
163 posts
May 07, 2010
6:41 AM
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Yes GH, that is a better way to word it!
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nacoran
1821 posts
May 07, 2010
10:45 AM
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I think that explanation might also account for the tone differences too. A thicker comb gives you a little more echo chamber inside the harp. But I'm just guessing. On low harps you have to worry about reeds rattling against the cover. I'd like to hear the tone difference. Is there a video on it's way?
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Nate
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oldwailer
1238 posts
May 07, 2010
11:06 AM
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I was taught by Buddha to make composite combs just slightly thicker than standard combs. I don't know why he makes them that way.
Since getting my training at the knee of the master, I have experimented with Plexiglas (High-quality kind) for combs. The thickest Plexiglas I have been able to find is just slightly thinner than standard MB combs (1/4").
I'm a very average player at best, but I do find that I actually prefer these Plexiglas combs. They are far easier to keep clean, for one thing--and the harps I make with them are very responsive.
That said, my two favorite harps in my whole box are still the two that Buddha made for me--but I think that might have more to do with the reed work than the comb. . .
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oldwailer
1239 posts
May 07, 2010
11:08 AM
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I see the master posted while I was composing my words of wisdom--I thought it might be a tone thing--but wasn't sure--I'll have to play around with them to see if I can tell the difference. . .
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Buddha
1743 posts
May 07, 2010
11:11 AM
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I like the tone of slightly thicker combs. I was into making double thick reed plated harps for awhile but they are a PITA. The extra thick combs do all that the double plates did.
If you're a blues player then you will like the thicker combs but if you're a player that is into the intricacies of the harmonica and your technique isn't top notch then thinner is better but you give up volume and tone.
The standard combs are not optimum for anything.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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Diggsblues
300 posts
May 07, 2010
11:55 AM
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Chris,
Is it thicker than the standard Golden Melody comb?
It looks to me that the stock GM is thicker than the stock MB.
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Blowyourbrassoff
11 posts
May 07, 2010
1:08 PM
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Thanks for the compliments Todd. Enjoy the new combs. I'll be shipping you your latest ones pretty soon.
Chris
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Joch230
122 posts
May 07, 2010
1:26 PM
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Todd....I think you really are a harp "hoarder"! You have a lot of Joe Spiers harps, Buddha harps, other custom harps and all the harps in your YouTube vids.... And now Chris and Buddha/Chris are sending you even more combs! You got the B-Rads too. Harp heaven at your house.
John (Major harp envy)
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Todd Parrott
7 posts
May 07, 2010
2:52 PM
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Buddha,
Whatever that Marine Band was you had at SPAH was incredible!!! It was probably the most responsive harp I've ever played.
And you answered my question about the pros and cons of thinner combs:
"If you're a blues player then you will like the thicker combs but if you're a player that is into the intricacies of the harmonica and your technique isn't top notch then thinner is better but you give up volume and tone."
And to Joch230,
LOL! No, I'm not really a harp hoarder, but I do wish I had gotten more heavily into custom harps and combs years ago. They really do make a difference. And I don't have any harps from Buddha just yet - he is building them. However, he had some killer harps at SPAH that I tried and loved.
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