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Thread: Harmonica combs
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24th August 2021, 08:55 PM #1GOLD MEMBER
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Harmonica combs
And for something different, I have been making harmonica combs.
I purchased a CNC machine last year and have been experimenting with cutting my own harmonica combs. Timber was stabilised with Cactus Juice prior to machining.
It has been a steep learning curve creating the files and refining the final product.
They have been welcomed by players and I’m now starting to fulfill orders for them.
Some even glow in the dark!
Timbers including Sheoak, Blackwood, Redgum, Southern Silky Oak and Huon Pine.
Even made a little box for one of them.
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24th August 2021 08:55 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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24th August 2021, 09:31 PM #2SENIOR MEMBER
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Wow,Great to see the finished product, fantastic ,well done.
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24th August 2021, 09:46 PM #3GOLD MEMBER
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Fabulous looking instrument. Hope you sell heaps.
Alan...
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25th August 2021, 01:12 AM #4
fantastic and I really like the box x10
The person who never made a mistake never made anything
Cheers
Ray
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25th August 2021, 04:20 PM #5Senior Member
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Your harmonicas look amazing. I hope you do well selling them.
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25th August 2021, 05:35 PM #6
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
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25th August 2021, 06:18 PM #7
Cal,
There amazing, I would love to know heaps more, but I don’t even know what to even ask.
Cheers Matt.
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25th August 2021, 06:37 PM #8
What everybody else said. They are gorgeous. Makes me wanting to give an other try on learning this instrument [emoji16]
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25th August 2021, 08:11 PM #9GOLD MEMBER
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Harmonica combs
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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27th August 2021, 11:52 PM #10
Thanks for the explanation Cal. I would say things are a wee bit clearer now. Anyhow all the best with the venture.
Regards
John
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29th August 2021, 09:27 PM #11SENIOR MEMBER
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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?
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30th August 2021, 09:15 PM #12GOLD MEMBER
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5th September 2021, 04:22 PM #13GOLD MEMBER
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I have completed my set of twelve harmonicas and finished a few custom orders.
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1st October 2021, 09:38 AM #14GOLD MEMBER
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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.
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1st October 2021, 10:04 AM #15
Cal,
The boxes look fantastic,i could see them flying out the door.
Well done.
Cheers Matt.
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