CaptJonHawaii
46 posts
Oct 24, 2011
9:11 PM
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A friend gave me a M. Hohner replica collection double-sided tremelo mod# 2613/64. Serial #001581.
Anybody have any info about this harp?
Thanks in advance.
Last Edited by on Oct 24, 2011 9:26 PM
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WinslowYerxa
115 posts
Oct 25, 2011
2:10 PM
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Wow, nice replica. I took it for a vintage instrument until I saw the label inside the box lid.
This is probably a tremolo instrument. Each of the two back-to-back harps is in a different key (C and G maybe, but that's a guess). Each reedplate has a complete set of blow and draw reeds, with the upper and lower sets of reeds making a unique tremolo sound when played together because one set is tuned slightly sharp relative to the other.
I can see that the divider between upper and lower rows is punched with a little hole to help distribute air. This also prevent note bending in most holes, unless you want to put a drop of wood glue in each punched hole to block it. Then you can bend notes if you isolate the upper row and get an appropriate pair of blow and draw reeds in your mouth.
Each reed is in its own hole, with blow and draw reeds side by side. This makes it harder to find the note you want than on a standard ten-hole and also takes more breath.
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CaptJonHawaii
47 posts
Oct 26, 2011
1:15 AM
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Thanks Winslow. You are correct it is stamped on the box CG.
It does make a very unique sound and takes alot of air. I've been able to
bend only the low end but its not easy. Looking at it there are no punched holes
on the high and low ends of each key or 1&2 and 15&16 holes.
Is it a harp made by Hohner? Was it made as a novelty item or an instrument? I cant
find any info online about this harp.
Would it be worth separating them to make two individual instruments?
Thanks again!
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greeno
5 posts
Oct 26, 2011
4:28 AM
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I have a few tremeloes, which I use rarely, and only for straightforward melodies. All the advice I have ever heard is not to attempt to bend notes as this will damage the harmonica. If anyone knows this is not the case I'd be keen to hear.
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Greeno
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Pistolcat
16 posts
Oct 26, 2011
6:17 AM
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My wife has a prewar Hohner Tremolo Echo-luxe with a whooping 30 holes on each side. She got it from her grandfather. I don't play since it hers but tried it sometimes and the sound is beautiful. Had a real hard time making the high notes on the c side sound though...
Same model as this one but more worn, but no rust :) And no case :(
Last Edited by on Oct 26, 2011 6:18 AM
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WinslowYerxa
116 posts
Oct 26, 2011
8:39 AM
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Well, it does say M. Hohner on the harmonica, and I've seen this before as a Hohner model, so unless it's a counterfeit (and who would bother to counterfeit an obscure model?), then, yes it's a Hohner.
And the original was not a novelty item, it's meant to be played. The Echo series of tremolo harps also have back-to-back paired keys, in C/G, D/A, and Bb/F. If the key changes to one of these closely related keys, you just flip the arp over and keep going.
I wouldn't try to separate the instruments - what would that accomplish? They are built on a single block of wood, and, from the look of it, both top reedplates are actually a single plate of brass. If you tried to saw them in half, it could look very ugly and might also damage the instruments.
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WinslowYerxa
117 posts
Oct 26, 2011
8:41 AM
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@greeno -
Bending notes will not damage reeds any more than loud playing will. Done badly with blunt trauma force, of course any technique will damage reeds.
I have killed reeds on tremolo harmonicas without ever attempting to bend a note, just by trying to play too hard. But I've never damaged a tremolo reed by bending.
As long as you remember than bending is a matter of persuasion, you can do it with minimal impact on reed health.
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CaptJonHawaii
48 posts
Oct 27, 2011
12:47 AM
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Thanks so much for all the info!
I'll leave it as it is and have fun playing it. Has a really fun sound!
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DigitalMuze
1 post
Oct 09, 2012
3:28 PM
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Hi,
I have this exact model Harmonica and am looking to sell it. Does anyone know it's value? Its in great condition and in the original box, which is a little worn.
Sounds great!
Thanks
Digital Muze
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