Swelling comb teeth
HI,
I just got a set of Hohner 5 X Marine Band 1896 to begin my harmonica journey with. I have already been teaching myself for a few months on a Hohner Blues Harp but wanted to get more serious and have begun my studies form the beginning with the Level 1 study lessons here.
After only playing my A harp for about an hour and learning tongue blocking study 1, the teeth of the wooden comb between the 2 and 6 holes have all swollen and are protruding meaning that my tongue is now getting stuck and it makes sliding around the instrument more difficult and causes pain and discomfort.
-Is this normal for this model?
-Is it a defect?
-Am I using too much tongue?
-Should I be returning the instrument?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
:)
Originally the Marine Band comb was unsealed and swelling was an endemic problem. About ten years ago Hohner began sealing the combs, but I find that it's inconsistent and even new MBs will sometimes swell.
Not sure whether Hohner would treat this as a warranty call. You could always get in touch via their website and see what they say.
If you're the handy type, you could pry the nailed-together harp apart, flat sand the comb and draw plate, seal the comb, and nail it back together. I've done that, though I also convert it to bolted-together construction when I do.
Thanks for that. I did already contact Hohner and have not heard back from them. I decided to return them and get a refund anyways and have ordered crossovers in replacement.
Thanks again for getting back to me.
Crossovers are great harps! I know the Hohner guys are working from home as so many of us are, which may explain the lack of response so far.
I'm curious what an expert will answer. I've had one for a year and I've played it heavily with zero swelling. And I think I'm more of a wet player than a dry one (I'm improving but still not perfect haha ).