Anybody who knows me, know I am constantly improving everything that I do. I've been experimenting with making my own composite material. The plan is to make them exclusive to my Super Manjis but may make them for other models too as you see in the pictures.
The harps pictured belong to Bonedog and Hvy. I don't like the black dymondwood and have longed for a true black comb so I made some for myself using an old pair of jeans. Yes denim jeans impregnated with resin.
I suck at taking pictures and the shine on the harps does not show through in the photos.
---------- "I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
Q1 have longed for a true black comb so I made some for myself using an old pair of jeans. Yes denim jeans impregnated with resin.
Was this i wonder if type thing lets see if it works, or is going to be the main Second part material you will use for your Comosite combs
Are you still experimenting with your final choice of material to use for the second part Bass
What are the advantages or improvment in tone you think these differnt materials will be over the standard Manji comb,have or are you looking at other materials to use and not settled on your choice just yet
Bro i emailed you aways back asking about composite combs For Special 20's i assumed you may be busy and was giveing you plenty of time to reply,
Im up for some Special-20 combs, Ive changed my ways and now gap my Main 4 Harps, i run open back cover plates so some composite combs would put the cherry on the cake, Thats about as Fancy as i need to get:)
Sorry about the email. I found it in my SPAM folder... anyway, I just responded.
I really was looking for a true black comb. I have a friend who makes custom knives and he showed me how he makes his own handles. I could have made it with strips of wood but he think the fibers in the fabric makes for a stronger material and it does. There is a lot less flex and much more strength in the tines with the comb I made. I don't think you can break this comb by dropping it on the floor.
It's a really nice comb material. As far as sound goes, I don't detect a difference at all. I do like that it's very easy to mill, sand and shine when I'm finished.
---------- "I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
Last Edited by on Oct 14, 2010 5:29 AM
Ah, so that's why i never see pics of you wearing skinny jeans anymore.... Do you have to deal with threads sticking out of the resin with this? How about color-do you add something to the resin, or is the color of the jeans?
Very innovative, Chris-and I like the customized RE10 as well. Is the text and graphics etched on there? ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Oct 14, 2010 5:45 AM
you can't tell it's denim. After it hardens its like a chunk of wood.
I used black jeans but I could color it with something however I'm not to that point yet. I'm still debating on how much I actually want to do this the two comb in the pic are the only two in existence.
---------- "I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
If anyone is concerned, I actually checked with Chris about this and he assures me that he did wash his old jeans first before he cut them up and used them to fabricate the combs.
Chris I admire your spirit of innovation but I am personally not very comfortable with the idea of holding a piece of your arse in my mouth. I am sorry I do not intend to offend you in any way it just feels wierd. I do us a favour, not combs from underware or socks for that matter.
The combs look so cool. What is the advantage to fitting my golden melody with a custom comb? ---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
That's some trippy shit my friend. The possibilities are endless. Hemp material, just cause, colorful lingerie, no, I'd get in trouble cuttin that expensive stuff up. Is that an OTC press? I recognize the blue. Good quality tool if so. Hey you guys don't worry about trying to figure out that acronym. It stands for the Owatanna Tool Company and I may have the spelling wrong.
That's not Buddha in those pics...I think he posted these to show the lamination method he's using to make the composites. I dig it. Lots of possibilities. LR, you might be on to something-silk composite combs. Yeah, our wives are gonna be pissed. Unless of course, we buy them new teddies to replace the ones we made harmonica combs out of. ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Oct 14, 2010 2:40 PM
Just got delivery of the GM shown in the above photos. WOW! The comb DOES have the appearance and finish of a black piano key. VERY impressive. Of course, it sounds and plays great, but that's to be expected since it's a Buddha Harp.
You know, this comb has a much smoother surface than a dymondwood composite comb. It's not at all porous--almost like a plastic comb, but much more substantial which is really nice. And it has none of the disadvantages of a plastic comb. Since it's NOT molded plastic, it's stronger and more airtight because it's a "sandwich" style comb and machined perfectly flat. Also, much richer depth of tone than one typically gets from plastic (but that may have more to do with the specs than the material).
One significant advantage to the smoother finish is that dried saliva doesn't tend to stick on the comb so much and accumulate. It is also EXTREMELY comfortable to play.
And, as I said before, the appearance is truly impressive. It really does look like a black piano key! One doesn't buy a custom harp for its looks, but this one not only sounds like it should for what it costs, it also looks the part. I'm impressed.
Ok, never mind the comb. Now that I've had a couple of days to play around with it, my inescapable conclusion is that this harmonica is UNBELIEVABLY GOOD.
It is a an F#--a standard or high F#--not a low F#. Very full tone with good resonance and very even response from hole to hole across all registers. Excellent compression and responsiveness to technique. All bends easily played and can be hit with precision on pitch INCLUDING ALL THE BLOW BENDS!
Can you imagine hitting the 10 hole blow bends at proper pitch on a high F# harp? I mean, can you even conceive of being able to play 10 hole blow bends on a high F# harp at all? And I'm not even a particularly skilled at playing blow bends. (Btw, i don't know why anyone would actually want to play blow bends on an F# harp...it's just so remarkable that you CAN do it accurately on this instrument.)
Incredible harmonica. Oh, and the comb is really nice, too.
Last Edited by on Oct 20, 2010 3:24 PM
I'm aware of that but it requires equipment that I don't have. I'm quite pleased with the two combs I made. I'm going to make more composite material this weekend.
---------- "I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
Not sure if I'd want it lighter - I like the density and weight as it is. Wouldn't mind trying one on a Manji - I like the feel and weight of this better than their composite - even though it's the 'latest greatest' etc. ----------
Hi Buddha i Just thought i would throw it at you just in case, no insult to your current method :)
When i was into Remote control Slope soaring with my Bro's we wanted the best wings foils we could make, we were speed demons they had to be strong light and Ultra thin for max speed:)
We made our own wing foils but wanted that extra edge over our competitors even though we made a fast Foil by Hand layup, the next step was vacume bagging carbon fibre wings with Kevlar Edges ultra thin, utlra strong foils :)
We made a small set up at Home we got most of the Gear from the Hardware store and other places, the traps and taps and air hose from the Aquarium, then scabbed a compressor from a 60's fridge worked a treat:)
I should have realised you were up to something Chris when you asked about my dymondwood 'aversion' for my SBS! Your combs look fantastic. I'd nearly given up on Randy Stoval, he must be super busy, until the other week he offered me a multicoloured corian comb for free! Can you believe that! No worries though mate, some of my MBs need combs,as well as some others, and I know your units are gonna be just the thing! Thanx :~)
