MagicPauley57
14 posts
May 11, 2009
6:59 PM
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Hi all!
For a few years , i've tried out a few brands, and models , I started out on Hohner Pro harps, not bad , but a bit too smooth , moved onto Hering , loud but hard to bend notes on these.
a harp player in my town said try lee oskar, for a fats response and easy to bend, etc etc ! oh and very hardwearing.
So far , all my harps are , lee oskar , I love 'em .they work for me.
What's your opinion ?
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Blackbird
77 posts
May 11, 2009
7:03 PM
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I could take 'em or leave 'em. So far, they're the only harps that squeal like the reed is mis-aligned more than any other harps I've got.
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Grillslinger
55 posts
May 11, 2009
7:57 PM
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I used to have that problem, but not anymore.
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Aussiesucker
270 posts
May 11, 2009
8:23 PM
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Were not my first choice but I really like them. That said my first choice is Suzuki Harpmaster & Bluesmaster. However I would have no hesitation in buying Lee Oskar as they are well made.
Most Lee Oskars I have are in alternate tunings ie Natural Minors, Harmonic Minors & Melody Makers.I also have a standard LO diatonic in D. They don't get the use or abuse I give my Suzukis but I suspect they could take it.
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Bluzdude46
46 posts
May 12, 2009
5:47 AM
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I used them for years before I learned how to work on my own harps to keep them going and playing well. The drawback to them is, they fatigue early because of the reed metallurgy (saw that on a website that confirmed my belief)and you can't do much with the reeds as far as correcting tune and gapping because they do not hold up well. I think this is also the reason I've heard people say they don't overblow well. I no longer buy harps and throw away when they get a bad reed or replace reed plates often. I gap and emboss using SP20's and my harps last. I wish I knew then what I know now I would have saved hundreds and hundreds more on Harps. I still have a few odd key Lee Oskars in my bag, Ab, Db Am, Dm that's all that's left of them. Durability is only bad issue of them, they sound ok, they bend easily and well and are not bad out of the box. But you never get that nice tight feel without working on your harps.
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the frozen canuck
32 posts
May 12, 2009
6:33 AM
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hey there MagicPauley57,I have a complete set of l/o & don`t think i`d trade them for any thing ,haven`t had one problem yet ,with m/b i find they swell to quickly
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Andrew
314 posts
May 12, 2009
9:35 AM
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My first harp was a MB in C, my second was a Lee Oskar in D. I hated it. But I was a beginner, so it doesn't count. I doubt if I'll ever buy another, tho.
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Jim Rumbaugh
40 posts
May 12, 2009
9:45 AM
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The best player and best sounding player in our club uses only Lee Oskars. I have a few of them, a set of Suzuki BLues Masters, and some Special 20's. There is nothing "wrong" about playing a Lee Oskar.
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Bluzdude46
48 posts
May 12, 2009
11:14 AM
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Jim's right. there is nothing wrong with playing any harp. It's all personal taste, the sound you want, the way it feels to you. I applaud anyone trying to make their own distinct style and sound. I can only share what I've found to be true and if others agree, good deal, if others do not that's ok too. But remember....you asked
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djm3801
117 posts
May 12, 2009
3:19 PM
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Good harp for the money. Not nuts about sound as compared to Delta and SP20's. Hate the deep hole nubers in the cover. Still, not bad. I do not play mine much. Every now and them for old times sake. It was my second harp.
Dan
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MagicPauley57
17 posts
May 12, 2009
5:16 PM
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Oh yes i asked and it's good to hear from you, horses for courses as they say!
It's like guitars ,some people like stratocasters , some hate them , alos amps , I tried using a marshall to play harp through once , It was an 18 watt vintage reissue, good for guitar , terrible for harp!, but then someone would love it!
keep em coming !
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TheBlackNote
20 posts
May 13, 2009
6:23 AM
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To me they squeal and bend as if a reed has popped. I preper the hohner big river or the seydel 1847 silver.
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myspace.com/theblacknote
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MrVerylongusername
303 posts
May 13, 2009
8:30 AM
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I've been using them more than 20 years, They are a damn good, reliable workhorse harp. For me they work fine, they play fine, and they last forever. I really don't know where Bluzedude is coming from in saying they blow out quickly. In my experience they last longer than any other of the main brands - especially Hohners -My harps get played daily and gigged weekly. I have some Oskars, in popular keys (I'm talking C G and A here - not hiG or F) that are at several years old and still going strong and holding tune well.
There are better harps, but I'm working on a budget and for me one good solid harp that last 2 or 3 years and is easy to get hold of (most shops stock Hohners and Lee Oskars and nothing else) is a good buy.
I'm not unwavering in my support. I try other harps and I like playing other brands, but I resent paying more than £25 for a stock harp or buying a harp that 'can't take the pace'.
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Bluzdude46
49 posts
May 13, 2009
9:40 AM
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As I said, we all look for what works for us. It's been my experience that they do not last ME very long. I've also excepted over the years that I'm fairly rough on harps that aren't set up for the way I play.
It's not unusual to ask opinions of 10 people and get 10 different answers.
I have 4 Lee Oskar A harps with blown reeds saved in a drawer from before I learned to set my harmonicas up. Anyone who wants them arrange for the shipping cost and they are yours
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snakes
218 posts
May 13, 2009
12:26 PM
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I have 6 or 8 Lee Oskars (or there-abouts) and have gravitated away from them. I find it interesting that TheBlackNote says above that he likes the Big River's and Seydel's. Where I live the Big river costs about $20.00 US and the Seydel Silver about $90.00 US. I am still enough of a newbie that my most important aspect of owning a harmonica is playability. In this regard I take issue (this is for me again) with some of the keys of Lee Oskars (such as the key of G) and their ease of bending. My favorite harp for playability is the Suzuki Bluesmaster which I can usually get on ebay for $21.99 (I did just order a harp from Buddha...). Some other harps I would give a thumbs up for playability based on MY user experience are the Seydel Silver, Seydel Session, Suzuki Promaster, and the Hohner Special 20. Sadly I have noticed that the Special 20 doesn't seem to last as long as the others. Coming from a tone perspective and not playability I like the following in this order of preference => Hohner Marine Band, Seydel Silver, Hohner SP20, Hohner Big River, Hohner Pro Harp, Suzuki Bluesmaster, Seydel Session, Suzuki Promaster, Hohner Blues harp (maybe this one is just too leaky), Lee Oskar, Golden Melody. Yes I own at least one of all of these harmonicas and please do not tell my wife. So why do I play Suzuki's? Because when I jam I don't have to think about my embrouchure for the bends they just happen for me. Most of the Hohner's and Oskar's I have to make a concerted effort to concentrate when I pull off any type of bending. To me this inhibits my ability to create licks on the fly. I have been playing less than two years so keep that in perspective. I will add that as I get better the difficulties I have with bending on some of the harps mentioned has dissipated, but there are some like the Marine Band where the leakiness still adds difficulty to playing due to needing more air.
Last Edited by on May 13, 2009 12:30 PM
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clarksdale
1 post
Nov 06, 2009
1:34 AM
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I've tried just about every brand except Hering. Right now my Weapon of choice is the SEYDEL Blues Session BUT ONLY with LEE OSKAR coverplates. Weird eh?
I love the Reeds and REEDPLATES on the Seydel harp but CAN'T freaking stand the CoverPlates and "large bite" as some say.
The OSKAR CPs fit perfectly on the Blues Session harps and i'm currently enjoying it. Anybody else doing anything weird with Lee Oskar Parts?
I've written SeyDel to try and encourage them to offer another CP choice for everybody. They may as well, they offer a gazillion options already.
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$Daddy Rich$
"The Blues is Ok!"
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toddlgreene
95 posts
Nov 06, 2009
4:37 AM
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I've played primarily LOs for 20 years, long before I ever heard a peep about doing anything to them other than changing the reed plates out. I still have a high regard for them, especially once they are embossed, gapped, etc. I've tried some others, but never had such horrible experiences as to make me kick my LOs to the curb. Any harp you have has the potential to stick a reed or occasionally just fail, so you gotta have backups, but it's all about your comfort level when they aren't broken. Ootb LO compared to a customized and sealed MB? Give me the MB. But, doll up the LO, and I'm a happy camper. Now, knowing what I gleaned from here and other research about what else is out there, will I continue to buy new LOs, or perhaps something else? A good friend does a lot of customizing since he's retired and has tweaked every one of his 150+ harps of different makes, and his are the only customs I've had the pleasure of trying, and they are a vast improvement(for the most part)over anything I have yet to play OOTB. He's changed the way I view harps-it might be great OOTB, but only better once tweaked. That said, I can't stand OOTB Marine Bands, but absolutely love them once sealed and customized. If I had a gig tonight, and one of the keys I would use with no spare crapped out, I wouldn't buy a new MB-I'd seek out a LO first because of my history playing them, then maybe SP20. Can't find the huge variety avaialable online in the stores, unfortunately, or I'd perhaps grab a Seydel, Suzuki, Bushman, etc.-and possibly fall in love with them.
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GO SAINTS!
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2009 5:13 AM
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e56505
14 posts
Nov 06, 2009
6:04 AM
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Iam fairly new to playing. but I have bought a few LO's. My favorite to play is the low G and I am learnig to tweek it for more resposne. The only thing I dislike about the LO's is the coverplates. I wish there was more meat on the sides to open them up for sound and to me they look like a toy with TOMBO Japan, written on the bottom plate.
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Cisco
35 posts
Nov 06, 2009
6:10 AM
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To me, they take more effort/air volume than the Special 20s which I now prefer.
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OzarkRich
34 posts
Nov 06, 2009
6:39 AM
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I agree with Cisco in that they are harder to play. I also don't like the fat cover plates, same goes for Big Rivers and The newer Promasters. I liked the idea of the stainless steel coverplates though. Gave mine to my kids years ago.
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nick67
4 posts
Nov 06, 2009
7:26 AM
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Well i have to agree that lee oskars are a nice workhorse harp.They have a clear sound and are easy to bend and if you dont want to make les work of them amp them up.
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nacoran
325 posts
Nov 06, 2009
9:04 AM
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Lee Oskars play well, don't seem to jam or break. They'll catch you mustache. They are usually my second favorite harp in any key.
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Shredder
35 posts
Nov 06, 2009
9:36 AM
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I have one tuned to a high G I use all the time. I have abused it but it still plays well and it's over 2 years old. It works well for the songs I use it on but I prefer Hohner G/M's and S/P 20's.
Mike
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2009 9:36 AM
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Hobostubs Ashlock
98 posts
Nov 06, 2009
9:43 AM
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I went in to the music store last year to get a harmonica,They had Marien band,which i remember as the old school standard,A special 20,and the blues harp,And Lee oskar,I was thinking about the Hohner,cause of the rep.But when the store cleck handed me a harp it was a lee oskar.I had read some thing s about them.And mostly positive so i said why not.And im glad i did,They hold up better than any other harp ive had.ive got 4 now and would love to have a set.Some people say there hard to overblow,but they way i see it,Is most the blues harp that i would love to be able to play well doesnt even use overblows and im on a very tight budget and i play kinda hard sometimes,and the lee oskar is the only harps that hold up as long.I bought a Seydel soliest pro in Bflat for myself as a gift for getting through my 1st 6 months of harp lessons.I loved it but 2 weeks latter i had busted it.bought new reedplates 2 weeks later they were busted.I wished i had got and will next harp i get will be a Lee Oskar Bflat.FRom what ive read about players and Lee Oskar you either hate them or love not much middle ground well i love em.call me crazy but dont call me late for supper.
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walterharp
109 posts
Nov 06, 2009
10:31 AM
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I have been working through all my old harps, and regapping, embossing, tuning etc, and when I get a favorite easy playing harp, it goes into the first-line case. Strangely, there are lots of older LO harps in there now, even though out of the box I do not like them as well as some other brands, they are hanging in there.
One thing that really helps in my mind is opening the back of the covers, the hole is so small at the back, and this really opens up the sound. It is easy to do, a couple quick slits with the dremmel cutter on the outside curved and gentle pounding or pliers with cloth protection. The little plastic support is there in the center to keep them open and not get crushed.
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easyed
1 post
Nov 06, 2009
10:34 AM
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I have an LO, some sp20's and a Suzuki BM. My only problem with the LO is that it is a mustache grabber. If you're going to play LO's, trim that 'stache close.
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Hobostubs Ashlock
99 posts
Nov 06, 2009
11:14 AM
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LOL they are hair grabbers i finally shaved off my beard man what a difference
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snakes
393 posts
Nov 06, 2009
11:34 AM
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Well, I'll post again on this thread as I've (since the first post) finally settled on a preferred brand of harp and it is the Suzuki Fire Breath. I'll stick with most of my previous statements about the Oskar's being a little harder to bend than I like in some of the keys and a few I have are leaky. But, I am using several minor tuned LO harps for first position when playing minor keys with my worship community. They don't bend anywhere as easy as all of the Suzuki models I own, but we don't need to bend too much in first position. When I play blues music (which is most of the time) my LO's don't come out of the box. When it is the blues give me a Fire Breath, Manji, or Bluesmaster.
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Jaybird
98 posts
Nov 06, 2009
5:25 PM
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I am basically a single note player with some double stops and octaves thrown in. It was my understanding that the tuning of Lee OsKar Major Diatonic harmonicas, ie. equal tuning, makes them better sounding for that style of playing. So, about two years ago, I ordered myself a set of L.O. harps. (I shoulda got just one L.O. to try out, I was hasty and foolish and bought a set) Yes, these Lee Oskars are fine harmonicas, I only have one complaint.... I just didn't like the way they feel in the mouth. I much prefer the "mouthfeel" of the Suzuki Bluesmaster.
So now I am selling this hardly used set of 7 Lee Oskar Major Diatonic harps.....
I kindly direct your attention to the FOR SALE thread for more details....
Thank you.
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www.Youtube.com/Jaybird33066
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nacoran
328 posts
Nov 06, 2009
9:47 PM
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I actually prefer the Lee Oskar's big numbers. The smaller numbers on some other harps bother my lips a lot more. The one thing aside from the mustache issue I have with L.O.'s is that they are the only Tombo's available easily in the U.S. I don't know if it's an exclusive deal or something, but there have been times I've been interested in Tombos and haven't been able to find them. (Early on in my harp career I had more experience on keyboards than harp and I wanted to try their harps that are laid out in two rows like the black and white keys). Anyone ever play an Tombo Ultimo?
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jiceblues
346 posts
Dec 17, 2014
12:51 PM
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Seems that LO's take a very long time to break in .
What do you , old timers-LO's players think ?
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ted burke
33 posts
Dec 17, 2014
1:24 PM
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I've been playing Lee Oskars , not exclusively, since the mid seventies and they are, I think, a first rate instrument. They have a strong, even tone across all the keys that I've played, they bend easily and they are great at allowing you to improvise smoothly. I don't have to "fight" with the Lee Oskars . They are the best value, for value , durability , expressiveness for the money. Their price makes it easy on the pocketbook. On the downside, they are not as tonally malleable as a Hohner Special Twenty or a Marine Band. When you want to mess it up and make it funky with some more screaming bends or choking chord rhythms, they can sound a bit limited . You can only bend them so far. They seem to last a very long time, though, unlike the SP20s which, although preferable for dynamic playing, blow out much quicker. I still play a variety of LOs I bought fifteen years ago. Lee Oskars are a solid, reliable, durable harmonica for a manageable price.
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Ted Burke
__________________
ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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jiceblues
347 posts
Dec 17, 2014
1:32 PM
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Thank you Ted .I guess they work better if you tweak them ? (if needed) .
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ted burke
34 posts
Dec 17, 2014
1:50 PM
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Honestly, I have never had to modify a LO harp that I've owned. I just assumed the limited dynamic rang was the nature of the instrument and never bothered to make them perform "better". I was satisfied with their sound in my overall experience. Of course, your mileage may vary . That said, I would add that the Suzuki Harp Master is comparable in crispness of sound ease of play , and price. The Harp Master, though, seems a bit more flexible in blues playing--the notes respond more and further in pitch than the LOs seem to. Both are solid products though, and there is plenty of room for individual players to modify however they need.
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Ted Burke
__________________
ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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Goldbrick
795 posts
Dec 17, 2014
2:03 PM
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I like them a lot- price is right, they dont break and I like the size.
The " cool "crowd on the board often feel otherwise - but I dont overblow or do much tinkering.
I's rather play then be a mechanic.
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dougharps
785 posts
Dec 17, 2014
3:00 PM
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I started using LOs in the '90s when my SP20s just were not lasting for me. I had previously given up the handmade Marine Bands and Blues Harps due to comb swelling and the issue of nails when repairing.
The LOs served me well for 10 years, and were durable with inexpensive replacement reed plates available when I had abused one to the point of reed failure. (Yes, I know, BREATH CONTROL) LOs tend to be mustache grabbers.
After using LOs for a decade I migrated back to SP20s for the smoother chords and difference tones in harps tuned to compromise intonation. I have since tried other compromised tuned harps including customized MBs (Deak), MBDs, Crossovers, Seydel 1847s, Session Steels, Delta Frosts, Manjis and Blues Masters.
I have 5 Hering 1923 just tuned diatonics.
For durability and price combined the equal intonation LO is the best deal. With a little gapping you can easily get a 5 or 6 OB as a passing tone. For the sound of chords the Hering 1923s are best, but for single note melodies they are not very good, and they seem a little leaky overall.
For most of my playing I use compromise intonation harps and like most of them just fine. SP20 has been the best deal for sound and price. I don't know if they will last for me when the new reed plates with tighter tolerances show up in them. The regular Marine Band sounds OK, but leakier than SP20, and I don't like the nails and didn't like the formerly unsealed comb. I love playing my Deak Harp MBs most of all, but the turnaround time and cost of repairs if I overdo it and blow a reed is not optimum. I like MBDs and Crossovers, but (especially in the key of D) Crossovers just don't hold up to my too aggressive style. I think that I have not adjusted my playing to the tighter reed slot tolerances. The Manjis, Delta Frosts, and Seydels seem to last longer for me. Maybe it is the Phosphor Bronze and Steel reeds?
In cold playing situations I use the LOs. LOs are not my current first choice in terms of the sound I want, but they are a good durable harp. I just don't favor the sound of the chords.
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Doug S.
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ridge
575 posts
Dec 17, 2014
4:38 PM
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There was a time when I had almost all Lee Oskar harmonicas. I thought it was great that replacement reed plates were somewhat easily available and that they had alternate tunings and the cases could interlock.
The main problem is that everything I found great about them had nothing to do with how they play, sound, or respond.
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Ridge's YouTube
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nacoran
8161 posts
Dec 17, 2014
6:00 PM
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I still like my LOs, several thousand posts later. I think, along with the Sp20, they give you the most bang for your buck.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
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Barley Nectar
583 posts
Dec 17, 2014
6:43 PM
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I've been playing for 40 years. LO's for 20+. Have about 40 LO's in the harp case. As a jammer, my harps get a wide range of use. Rock, Blues, Country, Folk, Bluegrass.... Amplified and acoustic. I am not a highly technical player. I do not mod or tune my harps. Why bother, you can replace the reed plates for $22 and about 5 minuets time. LO's are consistent OOTB. They are strong and durable. If you have a problem, Lee will stand behind his product. Have tried Hohner and Herring, always go back to LO's...BN
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indigo
22 posts
Dec 17, 2014
7:13 PM
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I like L/Os too.I think that a lot of people just didn't like the tuning rather than the Harps themselves.Hence the oft quoted remark about 'brightness)
I was on a budget (kids mortgage) lifestyle when i first started playing and the L/Os with their replaceable reedplates were a lifesaver for me.
I still use them, albeit on Bamboo combs..why? well the customs combs are flatter and nowadays i can afford 'em.Plus they look good.
I have a few Hohners and a set of Seydel Big sixes but my case is still mainly L/Os.
I have couple that are 20 years old and still good on the original plates (A and G)
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Aussiesucker
1409 posts
Dec 17, 2014
8:04 PM
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Rugged,hard working & wearing, loud, bright & well built....excellent.
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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zackattack
7 posts
Dec 17, 2014
8:13 PM
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Started playing Hohner Marine Band in 1966. Then Pro Harp, SP20, and other Hohners. Then some cheap japanese harps while overseas. On to more Hohners, Huang and Lee Oskars. Tried a Seydel Solist Pro last year and liked it a lot. Now I have a full case of Blues Sessions, Session Steel, Solist Pro and one 1847 classic, plus numerous special tunings and one half-valved Session Steel in D, which I have fallen in love with. Seydel is definitely my brand of choice. Having said that, play what works for you. The Los are good harps with their quirks, just like any harp.
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Rubes
919 posts
Dec 18, 2014
1:12 AM
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I'll read all the posts after I cook the kids dinner, but LO's...I'm pretty much over them...!
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Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
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jiceblues
348 posts
Dec 18, 2014
1:28 AM
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Thank you all , but the question was : "did you notice that LO's take much more time than other brands to break in ?" lol .
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KingoBad
1581 posts
Dec 18, 2014
4:45 AM
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No, the original post was "Lee Oskar... Your thoughts please..."
If you would like a specific answer, start a new thread.
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Danny
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jiceblues
350 posts
Dec 18, 2014
4:53 AM
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Oh yes , but there is a lot of threads about Lo's , so i did'nt start a new one .You're right , i start a new one .
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Mojokane
772 posts
Dec 19, 2014
3:24 AM
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Marketing Survey? cool.
My thoughts on Lee Oskar harps.
They were my first serious harp. I enjoyed them for many years. about (4 or 5)
Until they started to pile up from having so many plates and shit all over the place!
Same with SP20's. But worse with LO's.
Though, now people are tuning em, and taking care of reeds, themselves.
Why replace a whole plate? when you can change one, or two, for alot less. (MP affordable reed replacement).
Or you can do it yourself,....with alot of homework.
Some cats are more cut out for this task then others.
For it's time, they were awesome.
Early 90's, right?
He had filled a niche pretty quickly.
The removable plate idea was genius, too.
He probably figured there would never be custom tuners like there are today. My guess.
And let's not forget the over kill with all the different keys...geez.
They apparently need better brass, too.
I never caught on with that at all.
My suggestions?
Make a Lee Oskar chromatic next.
Does he even play chromatic?
Then, make something smaller, more to a SP20 size.
Move in on the Hohner market (again).
I'd rather see Lee Oskar do it, than anyone else.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year folks!
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Last Edited by Mojokane on Dec 19, 2014 3:27 AM
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jiceblues
355 posts
Dec 19, 2014
3:32 AM
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Mojokane , i like the size of LO's . For me , SP20's are too small .
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Goldbrick
799 posts
Dec 19, 2014
5:05 AM
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I agree about the larger size. I have big hands and like the size, Just like I prefer the scale length of a Strat or the feel of a 5b drumstick
I suppose any bronze or brass spring fatigues a bit and takes a new set with continued pressure.
This would account for a broken in feel. Accumulation of gunk and moisture on the reed can change things too
But I havent noticed that Lee oskars are more resistant to this than other harps I have tried..
BTW i got one of the Lee Oskar anniversary models and they are great looking with a slick magnetic leather case - a shame they are only in C
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Mojokane
773 posts
Dec 19, 2014
3:49 PM
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I can dig it..for me, SP20's are an over all better deal. Middle of the road economical choice, too.
Easier for my tuner guy (MP), to work on.
Mark highly recommends SP20's for full time players. And anyone for that matter.
They stand up well under pressure, and repair quickly(reed replacements).
Mark meticulously cleans & re- tunes everything without question. Amazing cat MP. A saint amongst sinners!
Sorry to hijack your thread. I still have one LO in my bevy...it sounds amazing! There's always one that stands out from the pack....hate to see em go, eventually.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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