Steve Harvell
120 posts
Oct 01, 2010
1:19 PM
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Check out these very nicely priced wooden combs. I have 3 on the way.
Steve Harvell
http://harpcase.com/id27.html
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MP
870 posts
Oct 01, 2010
4:08 PM
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i saw those.
they come in maple,walnut,cherry,oak,bocote,purple heart, and pretty soon bamboo. they fit SP20s, LOs,DELTA FROSTS, GMs, BGs,MANJI,PROMASTER, etc..
the maples are $15. shipping is $ for up to 5 combs.
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MP
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nacoran
2857 posts
Oct 01, 2010
4:21 PM
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Tolga, I'd forgot about that thread. (edit: I just added it to my organizer thread). It's like harmonica porn. I still need to put a picture up of the comb I got from David Payne. I've also got one of the clear combs now. It looks nice with black covers. To bad my black covers don't quite fit. I'd get someone to make one that fits the black plastic covers, but the reeds that would fit then would be Piedmonts. A clear comb with protruding brass and black covers is the sharp looking. I just don't have the parts to make it work. :(
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Nate
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Last Edited by on Oct 01, 2010 4:28 PM
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nacoran
2863 posts
Oct 01, 2010
10:06 PM
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I've only played a couple harps with more than one comb. I've got a Seydel Blues Favorite an aluminum comb and a custom wood comb. I can't tell the difference in tone. The wood one looks better. They both feel great. I'm going to pick up a MB for the acrylic comb. Right now I've got Piedmont reeds on it. It's actually kind of thin physically, but it sounds as good as any harp with Piedmont reeds will. It's an F harp. The thinness might be an issue on a lower harp. (The cover holes are sized for a MB so I have to just hold the covers on until I get a MB.) Aside from reeds possibly rattling against the covers and the way it feels in your hand I'm not sure what effect the thickness of the comb has. The other big thing with combs is where they seat the read plates. The setup I have on the acrylic comb right now has the reed plates exposed. If I was keeping it together I'd sand those smooth too.
I've messed around with a few different covers on some low end harps. A closed back gives you a warmer, quieter tone. An open back gives you a louder, brighter sound. I haven't tried one with side vents. Plastic seems to muffle the sound a little, but not necessarily in a bad way. Thin metal covers actually feel really good to play. The vibrations come right through the covers and you can really FEEL what you are playing. Of course they bend and ding real easily though.
The thing I'd look for in a comb are, if it's wood that it's sealed and sanded smooth, and no matter what material, I like the ends of the tines to be rounded a little. You don't hit the sharp edges of the tines with your lips.
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Nate
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hvyj
667 posts
Oct 02, 2010
7:41 AM
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Personally, I don't care for wood combs. Composite combs rule. State of the art--all the advantages of wood and none of the disadvantages.
I happen to like well made metal combs, too. But I don't understand why anyone would spend $ for wooden combs when composite combs are available.
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nacoran
2866 posts
Oct 02, 2010
11:49 AM
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Wooden combs can look snazzy! I like metal combs, but the idea of carrying a whole set of them around makes me worry about the weight. Plastics are great. It's way too expensive right now, but I'd love a comb made out of alon. It's a clear aluminum ceramic that they are using for the next generation bullet resistant glass. They can stop a .50 sniper round, but guestimating the price based on their spec sheets and you are talking about a long waiting list and $200 just for the comb materials, let alone finding someone who will do something with it.
I really like the look of those brass combs. When I get caught up on my bills I might take a shot at one of those.
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Nate
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9000
24 posts
Oct 02, 2010
6:56 PM
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The combs from harpcase.com are very nice for the money. I've just converted 3 Special 20s and I like the way that they play very much, especially, for amplified playing. I know that there are many other more sophisticated combs out there but none are near the price of these. Check out a couple to see if you like them. I don't believe that the wood changes the tone but a sandwich style setup on a Special 20 increases the volume of the reed channels and I like what it does. However, not converting everything over. An experiment in progress.
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jim
394 posts
Oct 05, 2010
12:03 PM
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Steve,
any discounts if I buy a dozen?
my skype is "palmhero"
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www.truechromatic.com
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Hetrick Harmonica
1 post
Oct 08, 2010
8:41 PM
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Hey guys, Matthew from Hetrick here. Just wanted to let you know that we are working hard to produce quality combs. They are pretty cheap because we want them to be affordable for everyone....but that does not mean we are lacking in quality. Just finished designing combs for the Manji. We can also do the suzuki harpmaster, bluesmaster, and promaster.
We are currently looking to do bamboo combs, just haven't found a cheap way to get it.
Hit our website www.harmonicacombs.com
I am constantly adding new pictures and woods. We just found a cheap source for mahogany!
Also, does anyone recommend a preference on sealing combs? We have tried beeswax and salad bowl finish. The wax seems to warp the combs sometimes and salad bowl stuff takes many coats. I am just wondering what most people would prefer. We also could sell them untreated if people wanted that.
We are a newish company, trying to produce a quality product for harp players. Welcome any feedback or questions.
Matthew
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jim
399 posts
Oct 08, 2010
11:47 PM
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my 2 cents:
All made by Slava Vinogradov (Moscow). And if someone needs them, I have them.
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www.truechromatic.com
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Steve Harvell
123 posts
Oct 10, 2010
5:33 AM
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Well, I got 2 combs yesterday, for the Manji and they are beautiful and work perfectly. It makes my Manji feel and play sorta like a pre-war Marine Band. It gives a bit more bite and warmth to the Manji that I like.
I am sure everyone has their own taste and preferences to harmonica materials but it made my Manji more to my personal taste and playing style. I will post a video soon.
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jaymcc28
307 posts
Oct 12, 2010
5:05 PM
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@Steve: what material did you get for your combs (maple, cherry...?)
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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Steve Harvell
124 posts
Oct 13, 2010
3:28 PM
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I have a "Maple" comb on the Manji in the key of (B). And a "Walnut" comb on the Manji in the key of (A). I will try and get a YouTube video up in the next few days playing both of them.
I have been playing the (A) non stop with tongue sweeps,octaves and just giving it hell and there is no swelling AT ALL yet. I like them!
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