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From: Douglas Tate
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 1996 21:50:41 +0100
Subject: Metal Comb Question

Barry Bean asks if anyone manufactures chromatic combs in metal.
He goes on to say that he can't wait for the best ...whoops, sorry, 'till
Bobbie and Doug (that's me) can get an assembly line going.

First. A ~metal~ comb does not a good harmonica make. Some say it doesn't
alter the sound either. (Vern) There are quite a few factors which have to
be taken into account before even thinking of using a metal comb!

However, you will find that there are a number of good engineers who will
produce a comb to your spec for about two to three hundred bucks. Bill
Stewart in UK does an excellent job. The only reason I don't use him is
that I use a specialist metal which is not easy to machine. At present the
Renaissance comb is about three times as expensive.

I am not keen on plated brass for a comb material for example, It is dense
and heavy and if you use, say the standard #270 comb shape it is heavy . My
old instrument weighs in at 12 ounces and feels right because of the way it
was machined. Renaissance weighs in at 16 ounces and is 3 ounces too heavy
and balanced wrongly at the moment.

Second. Hand crafted instruments don't lend themselves to assembly line
techniques. Parts of them do, and with Renaissance the comb will have a very
complex computer prog to get around the %^&%$=A3*&^ shape. Sliders,
mouthpiece
etc will be computer controlled manufacture to get the tolerances and
consistancy, Plates will be hand flattened and reeds will be reassembled
afterwards. Covers will be hand crafted.

Third... When B & D have made a dozen we will choose the best two for
ourselves and sell you the rest.

Barry goes on to ask if anyone has done much experimentation with different
shaped comb channels.

Yes.

Douglas T