opening up back of SP20
What are the pros and cons of opening up the coverplates in back on a SP20? It'll increase the volume but does it affect the tone? Anyone like this mod or hate it?
Hey CapitalG,
Sounds like a positive vote for opening up the plates. I get more volume if I need it, but can still get the darker sound by muting with my hands.
HarpKat
You can find a lot of custom combs available for special 20s as well. I tried out some bamboo and corian one which had a brightening effet on the tone more like a marine band sound
The trouble with custom combs for the SP20, is that they don't replicate the SP20 comb design, which have recesses that allow the reed plates to sit below the surface of the comb. I love the feel and this feature is why I buy the SP20. Lee Oskar's have a similar design. As far as i know, there are no custom combs that follow the SP20 design. I guess no one has ever seen the economic value in coming up with a unique design and then investing in a mold to make them. Hohner & LO might have patents on their exact designs. But with the new 3D printing technology, it may soon be possible to design and print your own plastic combs at home.
I didn't know about the brightening effect of bamboo. I thought custom combs were for looks. I considered brass at one time before I learned that the reed plates would sit on top of the comb.
HarpKat, Blue Moon Harmonicas now sells Special 20 combs that are recessed. They also have recessed combs for the Hohner Rocket and Seydel Session Steel. However the recessed combs are more exprnsive than the flat combs. I've bought combs from BMH and Tom is real nice to work with. They're very nice combs.
Jon,
Thank you so much for telling me about Blue Moon combs. I visited their website and now I'm drooling! They make gorgeous combs and I have no idea how I'm going to decide what to buy first.
I see that you're a fellow LOA5 traveler. Good luck in your studies!
~HarpKat
Hi HarpKat,
When opening the coverplates I found that the voulume increases significantly and allows for more dynamics with hand techniques. Just becareful not to crush the plates, athough I've never found it to be a problem, some players will add there own support struts. I'd try it without and see how you get on
G