jaymcc28
311 posts
Nov 05, 2010
11:41 AM
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I got home last night from work and found that I received 2 maple combs from HarpCase.com for a couple of Suzuki Harpmasters.
Ordering was easy. I ordered them on 10/21 and the service was very good. Matthew responded immediately to my order and kept me updated on the progress including letting me know when they shipped, tracking #, etc.
I switched over my A and Bb Harpmasters last night but only had a few moments to check them out. Things went together easily and snuggly. One thing for sure is that I will need to sand down the front edge of the reed plates as they are quite sharp. This wasn't a problem with the OOB combs because the reed plates were recessed into the comb. Now the setup is more like a Marine Band with the reed plate protruding. Nothing a little sanding can't fix I believe.
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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toddlgreene
2044 posts
Nov 05, 2010
11:55 AM
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I'm wanting to ugrade some of my older plastic-combed workhorses with wooden combs, and I saw those as well. What you mention is something I don't like, however. I got a couple new Manjis that the reed plates protrude on, and after a 4-hour gig, my lips are sore, whereas they weren't before I got the Manjis, from the constant rubbing with the reed plates. I guess I need to do some sanding as well.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Nov 05, 2010 11:58 AM
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Rift
6 posts
Nov 05, 2010
12:08 PM
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You are not going to be able to sand it flush on the Manji. The covers already come close to the edge of the reedplate. I would be afraid sanding/filing might make it rougher. My Manji reedplates are pretty smooth and never considered sanding them down for comfort but I did think about doing it to get a more flush feel of the reedplate and comb. I get use to switching between the plastic combs and marine band style within a few minutes of playing. Give it a shot and let me know how it comes out.
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chromaticblues
254 posts
Nov 05, 2010
12:08 PM
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@todd Becareful sanding the reed plates on the Manji because they are plated. If you go through the plating and in time it starts to seperate. It will slice your lips! If you take it apart you'll see the hole in the middle of the comb is smaller than the others. Use a drill and a bit that just barely fits in the hole and drill it with a little pressure on the bit so that it only cuts the hole bigger on the backside of the comb (away from the mouthpiece). Once the hole is about one and a half the original it should be good. When you assemble it put it face down and hold the comb and plates pushing into a flat surface while tightening the screws. Sounds complicated, but once you crack it open and look it. you'll see what I'm saying! No lip filet
Last Edited by on Nov 05, 2010 12:14 PM
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Rift
7 posts
Nov 05, 2010
12:14 PM
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@chromaticblues looks like you might have a solution for what I was looking for. I did something similar with my Hohner Blues Harp but i couldnt get it completeley flush. I was surpised to find out that the comb on the blues harp comes out slightly further in the center (holes 4-6) then it does at the edges. I have the center flusgh and the edges are still back a little. I thought about getting the edges flush and sanding the middle of the comb down to make it flush but havent had the time to get to it. Also on another subject John Cafferty is going to be at the ocean mist later this month. I might try to get down to check it out, havent seen him in 20 years!
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toddlgreene
2045 posts
Nov 05, 2010
12:16 PM
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Chrom-good advice;I didn't realize they were plated. I will open one up to see what you mean. As I understand it, I should be able to back the reed plates up in to the harp(away from the mouthpiece)by attaching them with an alternate hole?
Sorry to jack your thread, Jay...I've seen those wood combs and I am interested, probably more from aesthetics standpoint than anything else, though.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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Joe_L
801 posts
Nov 05, 2010
12:24 PM
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Am I just lucky? I've never experienced these sorts of problems with any harp and it's reed plates.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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toddlgreene
2046 posts
Nov 05, 2010
12:35 PM
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Joe, you play SP20s, don't you? This is an issue with Marine Bands and the Manji, at least. I played only SP20s and LOs for a long time and never had that issue.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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Rift
10 posts
Nov 07, 2010
3:16 PM
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@chromaticblues - I just had a few minutes to take my Manji C apart like we discussed above. You are 100% correct, the comb can be slid forward by losening the screws. The front middle screw is the only one that is tighter. Instead of drilling a small hole directly behind it I used a 3/32 bit to widen the hole. My bit was so sharp and the comb so soft I didnt even use a drill, I hand twisted through the hole. No joke! Then I put it back together with the front facing down on a flat table and when the screws were tightened it was competely flush! Perfect! About 5 minutes worth of work and very little moment forward of the comb and it has a completely different feel. I liked it alot before and I love it even more now. Thanks for the tip and I hope I added a little to it as well with the bit size and technique I used.
Last Edited by on Nov 07, 2010 3:17 PM
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RT123
13 posts
Nov 08, 2010
10:03 AM
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nice work Rift. I may try that myself.
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