From time to time I perform "The Barber," a fun song written by Chicago's Howard and the White Boys. I enjoy this song because it reminds me of my days as a Cosmetologist (a.k.a. Barber).
In that profession, dealing with pattern balding is serious business. My clients had four choices:
- Shave off the remaining strands of hair to match the balding section (in those days we called it the Kojac/Telly Savales look)
- Wear a hair piece (toupee)
- Wear a baseball hat
- Do a "comb over". This is where you allow the healthy part of your hair to grow out long enough so that you can fling it over to the balding section (think Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump)
The "comb over" is not always the best choice for a lot of people.
Fortunately for harmonica players', comb over's can be a good thing, providing us with numerous opportunities to personally discover the ultimate playing experience.
Over the next few issues the Monster Harmonica Workbench will focus its attention on modifying the Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. Each session will feature a different type of comb material and finish.
The Marine Band was selected for several different reasons:
- Availability (local music stores and web sites)
- Affordability (under $25)
- World Class reeds
- Historical significance (from Little Walter to Paul Butterfield)
- Preferred amongst many professional players (Kim Wilson to Howard Levy)
- Proven track record as a "best of class" customized harmonica established by living legend harmonica player and customizer, Joe Filisko.
In our first installment, the stock Marine Band pear wood comb will be modified to increase air-tightness, inhibit swelling, and improve mouthpiece comfort.
Tool List
- Small retaining ring pliers (most Automotive Parts Store, Sears, etc.)
- Wiha miniature pry bar (Micro Mark #81576)
- 0-80 Nut Driver (Micro Mark #80240)
- Single edge razor blade
- Drill press
- Round tungsten carbide cutter 1/4 x 1/2 Head Size in Fine Grit (Micro Mark #14459)
- 1/16" drill bit
- Ratchet drive tap holder tool (Micro Mark #15126) with 0-80 tap (#14145)
- Flat sheet of acrylic or glass (approximately 10" x 12")
- P400grit 3M brand sandpaper #216U
- Masking tape
- Flecto Varathane Diamond Semi-Gloss Wood Finish (Spray #200181)
- Removable putty poster tack (Scotch, Elmer, Duck)
- Sanding block
- Compressed air (can or small air brush compressor)
Parts List
- Hohner Marine Band Harmonica (#1896)
- Brass bolts 0-80 x 3/8" (Micro Mark #70159)
- Brass washers 0-80 (Micro Mark #70206)
- Brass nuts 0-80 (Micro Mark #70202)
Step by Step
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Insert the ring retainer tool into the back of the cover and gently squeeze on the handles. The cover plates will lift away from the comb and pop the nails out. |
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With the draw reed plate facing up, work methodically from one side to the other.Insert the ring retainer tool into the mouthpiece and gently squeeze the handle. The nails will lift away from the reed plate. |
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For those stubborn nails, carefully (do not cut the comb!) slide the single edge razor in-between the reed plate and comb. Lift the back of the razor upward. The heads of those stubborn nails should be raised high enough to use the Wiha pry bar. |
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Once the nails and draw reed plate have been removed, identify the three nail holes along the back side of the reed plate, and two holes on each end of the comb (for cover plate bolts). Using a 1/16" bit, drill holes all the way through the blow reed plate (don't forget to place a piece of scrap wood under the harmonica to protect the drill press table). |
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By carefully nudging the comb into the spinning tungsten carbide cutter, you will be able to remove the (painful) corners of the mouthpiece tines. |
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Although considerably more time consuming, you can also round off the tines by using a jeweler's flat file. |
Almost without exception, wooden combs will have imperfections. This includes saw blade markings (see photos from Oct '07 issue), divots from excessive bolt torque – all of which contribute to a leaky, difficult to play harmonica. In fact, if you dismantle your harmonica within minutes after playing, you will find saliva saturation on the uneven surfaces of your comb!
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Stick on small amounts of the removable putty poster tack onto one side of the comb. |
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Press the comb onto the sanding block. This will securely hold your work and help you apply even pressure as you gently push and pull (front to back, not side to side) the comb across the P400grit 3M brand sandpaper #216U edges taped securely onto a flat sheet of glass or acrylic plastic. |
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Watch for the small pools of sawdust that will accumulate underneath the high spots of the comb. For my sample comb, this appeared on the blow side of slots 3 through 7. Continue sanding until you see an even amount of sawdust appearing on the sandpaper. Thoroughly blow off the sawdust from the comb and repeat the procedure on the opposite side. |
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To prevent finger markings in the wet urethane, install a couple of temporary screws into the comb (these will also double duty as suspension braces during the drying process). Spray two even coats of the Flecto Varathane Diamond Semi-Gloss Wood Finish around the perimeter of the comb, in the slots and on the reed plate mating surfaces of the comb (allow one hour between coats). |
Alternately, for your next harmonica, try not sealing the reed plate mating surfaces of the comb. This will leave the comb with a little bit of porosity, resulting in a marginal amount of swelling. Many Hohner Marine Band 2005 Deluxe players prefer the resonance this strategy produces. This installment will end as a cliff hanger as I allow the second coat to dry before sanding and assembly.
In our next addition of Monster Harmonica Workbench I will complete the pear wood comb Hohner Marine Band harmonica and begin modification on a composite comb Marine Band.
From time to time – just for fun, I will be photographing and posting the hands of celebrity harmonica players who have dropped by and visited me at HARPSMITH. See if you can guess who's hands are these!
Stay tuned!
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
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