Marine Band - swelling combs
Getting very fed up with swelling combs on Marine Bands- almost to the point of giving up on them and switching to something else. I've tried a Crossover, which plays better but doesn't sound as warm and woody as a MB. The SP20 is easy to play but again doesn't have the MB sound. Two questions: does anything else out there approximate the MB sound? And, if it doesn't, what's the easiest way to seal the MB comb?
How much does a comb add to the sound of a harp? It seems that a lot of folks customize their Marine Bands by dumping the wood comb and going with a composite or metal comb. Does the comb material really matter, or is it more a matter of the covers and the reeds (not discounting the pie hole by any means).
You are not alone with this conundrum. Many players dig the traditional voicing of the Hohner Marine Band with its “naked” pear wood comb, but can do without the battle scars left on their lips after a night of hard core gigging.
Harp-Techs have long discovered that the porosity of the comb material will alter the resonance of the harmonica. As a general rule, the softer the material, i.e. pear wood, ABS plastic, etc. the more sonic absorption (sort of like dampening). On the other end of the spectrum, the harder the material e.g. sealed bamboo, brass, etc. the greater the sonic projection. In fact, your harmonica will sound brighter and more even tinny.
Before taking on the sealing project of your pear wood comb Marine Band, I strongly recommend you try the following two strategies:
[1] Play a Marine Band Deluxe harmonica. Hohner has done all the hard work for you by rounding the corner tines of the comb mouthpiece (way more comfortable than stock MB) and sealing the entire perimeter of the comb and inside slots to avoid swelling. Hohner does not seal the horizontal mating surfaces of the comb to enable the player to experience the traditional warm and woody attributes of its predecessor without the injuries ;o)
[2] Remove your “vented” Marine Band cover plates from your harmonica and install them onto your Hohner Special 20 (you will have to drill new holes). This is a fantastic combination that happens to be one of my favorites. It will provide you with the best of both worlds – blissful comfort and unmistakable Marine Band sound. I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes one of your new favorite harmonicas!
Keep in touch.
“Play the notes that people want to hear © 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
Thanks for the detail. But it brought up a couple of new ones for me (I hope I'm not hijacking here Jordan).
I've heard much touting of the new Crossover and it's bamboo comb, but you group it into the comb materials that could perhaps be on the tinny side. I haven't actually played the Crossover, but I was thinking on buying a few. I do, however, really like the Marine Band tone. Are the two that different?
Also, I saw the Special 20 cover recommendation you made on another thread. While the Special 20 covers do not have the vents, they do also have a flat crimp on the back side that blocks a lot of the sound projection area. Does this have a great impact on the sound? It seems that the open backs of the Marine Bands and Crossovers would be better for a fuller and louder sound.
Thanks for the comments - I'll definitely try the Marine Band plates on the Special 20.
jjudson - to me, the Crossover sounds lighter, tinnier and louder than the Marine Band. However, it plays a lot easier. I guess it's not necessarily a bad thing, though - it forces you to try and darken up the tone by cupping more carefully and by dropping your jaw more.
CROSSOVER
As Rick Epping (formerly with Hohner USA) taught me many years ago, it’s not one thing, but a combination of many details that creates a desirable harmonica. Take the Crossover for example, with its new cover plate artwork and bamboo comb aside; it is the attention to the reed sets that make the difference. The reed gap (offset) and profile are more responsive for “overblowing” type playing. And unlike the “compromised just tuning” of the Marine Band (better for chordal playing), the Crossover is tuned closer to 12TET “12 tone equal temperament” (better for single note playing) – think Hohner Golden Melody or Lee Oskar harmonicas. 12TET will enhance the brighter attributes of the harmonica.
COVER PLATES
In 1973 I purchased my first Hohner “Blues Harp”. It was essentially a Marine Band with a different set of cover plates nailed onto the harmonica. They were low profile, had folds in the back and NO VENTS.
Many lessons were learned with those cover plates, most importantly you can take your favorite set of reeds and comb and simply by swapping different cover plates, you can alter the voicing of your instrument. This becomes very obvious with amplified playing. In general:
Vented cover plates = brighter
Non Vented cover plates = darker (muted)
All of our Harmonica heroes were (and are) masters of proper cupping techniques. Especially when coupled with a bullet mic, the more sound you can direct into the tone chamber, the fatter the tone. This requires covering up ALL orifices not directed towards the back opening (think cheerleader’s megaphone) of the harmonica. This means wrapping your hands around the outer perimeter of the harmonica to cover all four vents.
A few years ago, at a Harmonica Masterclass Workshop in San Jose, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rod Piazza. My students enjoyed his story about his time spent with George Harmonica Smith and Bacon Fat. He spoke about how while he was playing, George would come up from behind and wrap his monster size hands around his and bark out, “SQUEEZE THE HARP TIGHTER MAN!”. This was George’s way of reminding Rod, if you want the fat tone, you have to cover up all the leaks to prevent the sound from escaping.
I agree with your observation about the folds on the back cover plates. They tend to handicap the potential of harmonica. You do not want to block the sound at the back of the harmonica. On the Special 20, each cover plate (blow and draw) fold measures 1/8 in. x 5 ½ in. That is about 1¼ sq inch of unnecessary metal blocking your sound!
You can remedy this problem by placing the cover plates (inside facing up) on a sheet of PVC (cutting board), then using a urethane hammer impact roll the folds inward.
“Play the notes that people want to hear” © 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
Can you place a crossover or say a seydel 1847 classic in an ultrasonic cleaner since the combs are sealed or must you dissasemble it?
Hello William, Good to hear from you.
I would recommend disassembling your harmonica, and only bathe the metal components. For the comb, use a toothbrush to remove the Harmonicoccus from the mouthpiece and slots. For the flat mating surfaces, lay the comb onto of 400grit sandpaper and gently slide the comb forward and back with even pressure. Blow off the sawdust before reassembling your instrument.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
If you are having swelling problems then get yourself on a non wood comb.
I use metal combs (Meisterklasse/ Dannecker Blues) and get (I think!) a great tone, acoustic or amplified. Having said that, I guess it depends on what you are after. There seems to be a lot of emphasis on the MB sound on this site (esp in the interviews) and maybe that's the pro choice... But, there is also emphasis on what works for the individual. Bear in mind that the music you make, starts... in the gob!