Thread: Harmonica combs

Wow,Great to see the finished product, fantastic ,well done.

Fabulous looking instrument. Hope you sell heaps.

Alan...

fantastic and I really like the box x10

Your harmonicas look amazing. I hope you do well selling them.

Wow Cal you keep surprising us. How did you even think of that.
Now a question just how does it work. Is the size of the air chamber determining each note something akin to scale length. I have never really looked at the insides of one.
Regards
John

Cal,
There amazing, I would love to know heaps more, but I don’t even know what to even ask.

Cheers Matt.

What everybody else said. They are gorgeous. Makes me wanting to give an other try on learning this instrument [emoji16]

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Originally Posted by orraloon

Wow Cal you keep surprising us. How did you even think of that.
Now a question just how does it work. Is the size of the air chamber determining each note something akin to scale length. I have never really looked at the insides of one.
Regards
John

Thanks Everyone!!
John,
I have had the idea of reproducing them for about 5 years! To let you and others know, there are a few after market manufacturers of combs around the world. And many brands and types of harmonica.
The chambers are determined by the length of each reed, the reeds are riveted/screwed/spot welded to the reed plate. The chamber size and shape has an effect on the air being pushed/drawn through them and the reeds.
The reeds themselves can be adjusted to improve responsiveness, can be retuned in many ways to give a huge range of tunings. It can get very complex and is very fine work.
Although originally considered a fault, the diatonic harmonica can be played chromatically if adjusted correctly, some notes can be played and changed (Bending notes) by one or more notes




Here are some photos of the reed plates (one draw plate and one blow plate) and an original comb. These are from the Hohner Marine Band and have remained unchanged for the most part since the 1850’s!





As you can see, the tines of the comb are square edged and not very comfortable in the mouth. Changing the thickness of the comb can also effect responsiveness.

I have been playing harmonica since I was 3 and I am now 48. I have a bit of a collection now.




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Thanks for the explanation Cal. I would say things are a wee bit clearer now. Anyhow all the best with the venture.
Regards
John

Just a thought Cal, would "Snotty Gobble" (Persoonia Longafolia) be a novelty wood to use or would the punters be put off with the image?

Originally Posted by dusteater

Just a thought Cal, would "Snotty Gobble" (Persoonia Longafolia) be a novelty wood to use or would the punters be put off with the image?

Now that would be funny! LOL

I have completed my set of twelve harmonicas and finished a few custom orders.








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Had a bit more time on the CNC to create some cases for the harmonicas. I laminated some scraps together to form the box and added 2mm veneer to the Redgum lid.
Waiting on some more magnets to finish them off and have pre-orders for them already.











I fitted some eyelets for air circulation when the harmonica is put away after playing and the inside is lined with suede leather.

Cal,
The boxes look fantastic,i could see them flying out the door.
Well done.

Cheers Matt.