OldGeezer
1 post
Dec 16, 2012
3:24 PM
|
I recently picked up a Meisterklasse 580 - one of the earlier pre-MS series harps. This one is about the same size as a Marine Band. When were these harps introduced and what was so special about them? They appear to be just a gussied up MB. Also, for some time I've had another pre-MS M'klasse, but this time it is identical to the MS series (reedplates are interchangeale, etc.), just no MS on the cover plate. How do they fit into the series?
Thanks.
|
barbequebob
2145 posts
Dec 17, 2012
8:09 AM
|
Those were introduced in 1985. None of the MS stuff will fit into the pre-MS harps at all. They used an entirely different reed meal alloy called beryllium copper alloy, which was used previously on only two chromatic models, the Silver Concerto and the early versions of the Super 64X. The do have an extremely bright tone which may or may not be to your liking.
It was also the very first diatonic Hohner ever made not only to use this reed material (none of the MS series harps uses this at all), but also the reed plates were nickel plated (which also counts for the extra brightness) and the first to use a metal comb (made of aluminum). There are plenty of people who much prefer this version to the MS version. Most of these I recall being tuned to 19 Limit Just Intonation, but there are some tuned to ET. Again, if it's pre-MS, not one single part will be compatible with the3 MS stuff at all.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
OldGeezer
2 posts
Dec 17, 2012
11:04 AM
|
I also have the version that 'timeistight' has. That was the second part to my question. Now, I wonder if those reeds were made of the older special alloy since they weren't marked MS, or just the usual MS reed material. Is there any easy way to tell if the reeds are of one or the other alloy?
|
HarpNinja
2997 posts
Dec 17, 2012
11:18 AM
|
I have a VERY old one from Richard Sleigh. It has lead reeds or something. Looks sexy as hell, but I almost never play it. I only have two harps I am afraid to play too much and that is one of them!!!
----------
Custom Harmonicas
|
HarveyHarp
427 posts
Dec 17, 2012
9:33 PM
|
Hey old geezer, welcome to the forum.
----------
HarveyHarp
|
STME58
333 posts
Dec 17, 2012
10:01 PM
|
@HarpNinja,
DId you mean lead as in dull and unresponsive or lead as in toxic?
I was under the impression that beryllium copper would not make a good reed because it was toxic, but I did some research after reading @Barbeque Bob's post and found there is no toxicity issue with finished beryllium copper parts. There is an issue with breathing dust from machining or grinding operations on beryllium copper.
|
Todd Parrott
1066 posts
Dec 18, 2012
2:28 AM
|
The magic of these harps was the cover plates. Put them on a Marine Band or Crossover, and you get the same sound. I think the Dortels are based off of the old Meisterklasse design. I liked the Meisterklasses in the higher keys especially. I still have a bunch of them.
|
HarpNinja
2999 posts
Dec 18, 2012
8:30 AM
|
Lead = Toxic
I can't remember the whole deal, but I am pretty sure I'd have to literally eat the reeds in order for there to be an issue related to health. Regardless, I don't play it much, and I for sure don't lick the reeds.
----------
Custom Harmonicas
|
STME58
334 posts
Dec 18, 2012
8:57 AM
|
Licking berylium reeds would probably not cause a problem, grinding them to dust and breathing them definitely would.
The below quote from the Copper Development Association shows that from a mechanical standpoint, Berrylium copper makes a great reed material.
"In the fully heat treated and cold worked condition beryllium copper is the hardest (HV 100-420) and strongest (tensile strength 410-1400 N/mm2 ) of any copper alloy. It is similar in mechanical properties to many high strength alloy steels but, compared to steels, it has better corrosion resistance (approximately equivalent to nickel silvers - see Pub 71 and Pub 117), higher electrical conductivity (16-65% IACS) and higher thermal conductivity (210W/moC ). It is also non-sparking and non-magnetic."
|
