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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
HarpLock harmonica holder
HarpLock harmonica holder
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HarpLock
1 post
Feb 23, 2012
9:19 PM
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hello, I have seen a couple of different threads mentioning the product I sell called HarpLock. If I can answer specific questions for you I'd be happy to do that. Allow me to give you a little background on the product. HarpLock has changed over time. The first version used 3M brand duel locking strips to secure the harmonica to the HarpLock shelf. Although quite effective, this process required the musician to place an adhesive locking strip on the harmonica. The newest version is completely magnetic and doesn't require any modification to the harp. I'm thrilled to see people talking about HarpLock and grateful to those of you that have tried it. If anybody has had any problems I'd certainly like to hear from you.
Thanks for allowing me to join your group.
Gary Applegate
www,harplock.com
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nacoran
5302 posts
Feb 24, 2012
3:53 AM
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Thanks for posting! It looks like a great product. The only question I have, is have you tested it with Stainless Steel reeded harps? I know Turboharp uses a magnet to deliberately change the tuning of the harp for one of their experimental harps. I know they put the magnet much closer to the harp though, and if I remember right magnetic fields drop of really quickly, and even then it would only be an issue for some harps from one manufacturer. Just wondering. Welcome to the forum. :)
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Nate
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jimbo-G
103 posts
Feb 24, 2012
3:17 PM
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Would a magnet not affect a dynamic Mic if placed to close?
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oldwailer
1855 posts
Feb 24, 2012
8:55 AM
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@Nac--if its really stainless steel then it ain't magnetic.
I have one of these gizmos (The HarpLock) and it works great on a Shure SM58--as advertised--with Hohners and Bushmans and LO's at least. I do have a little trouble getting the volume to be right for both voice and the harp--although I am learning to just back off a little while singing.
I'm still just working at getting used to it--I haven't performed with it yet--it is light years more comfortable than using a rack--even the Cadillac rack I use--but it's very different too. . .
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Oldwailer's Web Site
Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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nacoran
5306 posts
Feb 24, 2012
11:33 AM
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Oldwailer, aren't there different series of stainless? I don't remember all the details, but my friend, who used to work in a metal shop, tried to explain it to me once. (It can rust too, under certain circumstances.) I'm not sure, but I know Turboharp has a harp based on a Seydel model that has a magnetic slide that alters the rigidity of the reeds, essentially allowing them to change it's tuning with the press of a button. I assumed it was based off a Seydel with standard Seydel steel reeds, which I've heard called stainless. I could be wrong though. (It's a really neat harp, actually. I suspect they got the idea from the Bahnson, which I think they also own the rights to. It's only the fact that they say they'll have a new model that will slide either way combined with a fairly hefty price tag that has kept me from jumping. It's possible they are replacing the reeds and it's just coincidence they are using a harp that starts with stainless reeds.
It's funny. I have exactly the opposite problem with my vocal harp mix. I'm not a particularly loud harp player, but the sound guy at open mic always complains about how quiet my vocal is. I still think the ultimate solution would be a mic that could identify the difference in the wave form of harp vs. voice and switch itself on the fly, but designing something like that would be way above my pay grade, even if I could find off the shelf parts to do the smart parts of it. Some sort of algorithm... oh well. I've thought a pedal that toggled between two different volume levels might be the solution. You might even be able to find one that let you balance the two volumes automatically during sound check (play a sample of both, then have it balance both). There may be something out there like that, but even that might be too complicated for me. It seems the precise moment when I switch between harp and vocal is when I'm most likely to completely lose my place in a song. Having to hit a pedal might make my head explode.
I don't remember if I have a thread in the thread organizer for neat harp related gadgets. If I don't I probably should.
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Nate
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HarpLock
2 posts
Mar 14, 2012
7:37 PM
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Hi guys, it's sooooo nice to see HarpLock being discussed in this forum. I'd like to thank everybody who bought one. Sales are continuing to increase and most people really like it. Let me answer a few questions for you. HarpLock does not work on stainless steel,aluminum or plastic harmonicas. Below are some frequently asked questions about HarpLock.
Q. Will the magnetism affect the transducer inside the microphone?
A. During development I did extensive research and couldn't find any negative correlation between magnetic fields and mic transducers. I did find magnetic mic holders and I learned that some people view magnets as healthy. I'm not a scientist, but I have three SM 58 mics that have had HarpLocks mounted continuously since August 2011. I use the mics regularly and I can't find a darn thing wrong with the mics or the HarpLocks. As far as I can tell, this thing just works.
Q. I don't use a Shure SM 58 or Beta 58. Will HarpLock fit my mic?
A. HarpLock was designed specifically for my microphone, which just happens to be a Shure SM 58. It MIGHT work on your mic but for best results, it should look an awful lot like a Shure SM 58. In other words it should have approximately the same size grill, and the grill thread diameter can be no wider than 1.290 (almost 1 5/16").
Q. Will HarpLock give me a better harmonica tone.
A. No. HarpLock is not designed to impact harmonica tone in any way. The sole function of the device is to eliminate using a neck-worn rack. Your harmonica will sound like a racked harp close miked. (Minus those banging sounds you used to hear when your rack hit the microphone.)
Q. My mic stand moves when I use HarpLock. What's wrong?
A. HarpLock performance is directly related to mic stand stability. You really have to use a sturdy stand. I use and recommend the DR Pro tripod. Lightweight tripod's and stands with a circular steel base won't get the job done. You should also avoid using a flexible gooseneck or a flexible rubber mic clip. If you can't get your hands on a stable mic stand, try adding some weight to the base.
Stuff you ought to know.
HarpLock is not for everybody. It was designed for singing musicians that also accompany themselves on harmonica. First-class harp players accustomed to the tone and control of handheld harmonica may not find HarpLock suitable. However for those of us that have been singing and playing harmonica with a rack, I think HarpLock is the best harmonica holder in the world.
Thank you for letting me promote a little in here.
I won't spam you to death but I hope you take minute to take a look.
Gary Applegate
www.harplock.com
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nacoran
5380 posts
Mar 14, 2012
8:54 PM
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It might be a cumbersome stand mod (and heavy), but we have an old lamp in our family. It looks like it should be really top heavy, but my grandfather fixed the problem by pouring lead into the base (he was a metal worker.) That lamp doesn't budge, and I imagine, if it was a big problem, you could modify a mic stand similarly. It might be more practical for a studio mic stand though, than the road. Necessity is the mother of invention. I saw someone use a shoelace and a 9-volt battery for a guitar capo tonight. :)
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Nate
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opendoor_harps
9 posts
Mar 25, 2012
12:23 AM
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Hi Gary:
I got the harp lock this week and had a few sessions working with it in the studio. I set up to record the output of a combo amp as if I were using it in a live gig (Guitar, Vocal, Harmonica), but at the same time recording to separate tracks of a DAW.
My first impressions were favorable and it was nice to be liberated from the rack and having to peek above it to sing.
The biggest challenge was getting the stand REALLY tightened down and wobble free. I was using the DR Pro with an SM 58 which all was easy to setup. I found that there are all sort of noises and wobbles a stand makes (recorded of course through the mic), that we don't usually have to deal with when just singing into a stationary mic/ stand. After tightening every screw, base, connector I could find, and even cranking down the screw in the mic clip, it was stable enough to try some takes.
It worked well, and got a great tone from the SM 58. Singing worked well too, but I did find the mix not quite optimal between harp and vocal. But this could be altered with dynamic performance adjustments by the performer.
I was able to achieve additional stability by backing the stand up again my mix table which worked well. I think it might be worth exploring the slight give/ bounce back of the stand when you really lean into it for specific harmonica effects.
Ideally, I think another mic positioned either next to or right above the SM 58 could add a fuller vocal sound and even be blended with the harp tone for more air if needed. It also would provide a little bit of separation from the harp and the vocal. A live sound engineer might appreciate being able to setup separate levels, eq, compression and effects for vocals and the harp. I may try this next time in the studio.
I tried it with a bunch of different harps (even a 14 hole 365, and aside from the Suzuki Promasters, all took quite well to the magnet and did not budge.
I think the harp lock has a lot of potential for live performance and studio applications for players who have been using a rack and want to capture the feel of playing live. I look forward to playing with it some more.
Clever invention Gary.
Burke T.
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lumpy wafflesquirt
772 posts
Nov 11, 2017
6:09 AM
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Hi all
I have been having a clearout and found my harplock harmonica holder.
Does anyone here want it before I put it on eBay.
£18.00 plus whatever the postage costs are [£2.90 in UK I think).
Its in excellent condition having been hardly used as I never got my own SM58 so only used it a few times at open mics. I don't play rack harp these days.
Best to email me if you are interested as I don't visit here very often nowadays.
robin.e.shaw@btinternet.com
edit.... NOW SOLD
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
Last Edited by lumpy wafflesquirt on Nov 11, 2017 2:10 PM
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