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Forums :: General Discussion

New Marine Band

3 replies [Last post]
Thu, 03/12/2015 - 14:05
Francis
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Joined: 03/30/2013

I purchased a new MB and it sounds great. This is my first MB. Prior to this I played SP20's almost exclusively. I have found that the MB comb is slightly abrasive on my tongue. Will my tongue just get used to the new feel? Thanks.

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Fri, 03/13/2015 - 21:56
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Joined: 01/16/2010
Only time will tell

The difference is down to more than just the comb itself. With the Marine Band your lips and tongue also feel the front edges of the reedplates, which on the SP20 are sunk into the comb. Some players prefer the smoother, unified front surface of the SP20 style comb, while others, like me, don't much care one way or the other.

Sandwich-stye combs, with the reedplate edges exposed, are easier to mill and to sand flat, which is why customizers largely prefer to work with them. If you can hang in there and get used to the way they feel, you'll have a much broader set of possibilities to explore in trying out different models.

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Sun, 03/22/2015 - 18:49
#2
jdwintem
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Joined: 02/07/2014
1896 vs Marine Band Crossover

Try a MB Crossover. The bamboo comb seems to eliminate the problems with the pearwood comb found in the 1896 model. Crossovers are more expensive, but I think they are worth the difference.

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Tue, 03/24/2015 - 16:32
#3
Francis
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Joined: 03/30/2013
appreciate the responses

Thanks guys. Seem to be getting more used to it. The marine band seems a tad smaller than the sp20 which I kinda like.

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