jbone
1186 posts
Feb 09, 2013
9:11 PM
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I have a couple or 3 low harps, one is a low F Manji which I use a lot. Another is a Low D Big River which I'm just getting to know. In addition I have both a low C Hering Chromatic and a G Suzuki chromatic, both 12 holers, which I use quite a bit.
Recent events have got me to thinking about even lower pitched diatonic harps. I see Hohner has the Thunderbird super low D. Wonder do they make a super low F as well? I also wonder if any other makers are tuning some harps down like this? I have to admit the price tag on these is a bit steep. I see Seydel had a low tuned or 2 also, for less expense, but having never tried a Seydel I am hesitant.
Hope some of you guys can shed some light on this topic!
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SuperBee
898 posts
Feb 09, 2013
10:19 PM
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Thunderbird is quite pricey, a nice bit of kit though. I have a Lo Eb in MB1896 (old comb), which is fine although I'm afraid my ineptitude with Lo tuning led me to get rather obsessed with it at one stage and this led to some swelling around holes 2 and 3. I have a nice corian comb which I might use on it if I ever decide to get serious about Lo tunings. I mean, I like the sound but I find its a new game on those Lo reeds
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nacoran
6489 posts
Feb 09, 2013
11:11 PM
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I have a Seydel Blues Favorite in LLF, which I really like. Definitely needs to be miked though. You need to store them on their back too, or the reeds slowly pull out of alignment.
I know Jim has a Low Low D steel reed (except the very bottom reed). Not cheap though.
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Nate
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tmf714
1485 posts
Feb 10, 2013
6:20 AM
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@jbone-Hohner does make a LLF Thunderbird-Rockin Rons has them on backorder right now-don't know about Amazon or Coast 2 Coast-
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Sarge
308 posts
Feb 10, 2013
8:21 AM
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I had a LLF soul's voice which I think is made by seydel, and I liked it. I saw a video of Dennis Gruenling playing a LL harp with some band. It sounded really good, like a tenor sax.
Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
Last Edited by Sarge on Feb 10, 2013 8:23 AM
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tmf714
1486 posts
Feb 10, 2013
10:39 AM
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I have a Seydel Blues Favorite Standard with aluminum comb I would like to sell-it is valved,and I bought a Thunderbird,which is not valved.
I would sell it for $75.00-like new,played maybe 4 times.
I am also going to list it on the forum for sale page.
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Gerry
40 posts
Feb 16, 2013
10:46 AM
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If I can hijack this thread a little. How do Low harps (Sp20 or Session Steel etc) sound versus the Thunderbird with it's special reeds and coverplates?
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SuperBee
916 posts
Feb 16, 2013
3:08 PM
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Hmm, I dunno about special reeds, but the cover plates are kinda odd at first, with that fat end tapering away. I don't notice it now but at first it felt very strange. The long reeds don't hit the covers, I know that.
I can only compare to MB1896. the bamboo comb is sweet compared to the old unsealed 1896.
I can't really say much about the sound, I would expect they have the usual differences due to cover plate design variations and tuning schemes.
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harmonicanick
1821 posts
Feb 16, 2013
3:18 PM
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Don't bother with the super low F (seydel)
very difficult to hear if there is any ambient noise
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nacoran
6502 posts
Feb 16, 2013
4:31 PM
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Jbone, where do you see Hohner with a Super Low D? I can only find them going down to Super Low F.
The only super low D I've ever heard was a custom one Jim made himself. (I heard a sound clip. It's otherworldly!)
Harmonicanick, the Seydel is pretty quiet, and certainly would be hard to hear acoustically, but playing it in a full cup position I've had pretty good luck. I do occasionally rattle the one hole reed against the cover, especially if I haven't played it in a while. It takes a light touch. I haven't heard a Thunderbird though, so I can't compare the volume.
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Nate
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jim
1377 posts
Feb 16, 2013
5:45 PM
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I've recently had several thunderbirds for repair.
They are nice, but I'm afraid they too need a repair toolset for regular servicing. All superlow harps have thin reeds and are delicate.
Hohner sells spare reeds for them like Seydel, so choosing the brand is more a question of your regular orders. If you order Hohners more often, get thunderbirds to buy spare reeds later. Shipping reeds separately may get expensive, that's the point.
I don't think they are suitable for standard tuning though. You can use them for chords only this way.
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Last Edited by jim on Feb 16, 2013 5:45 PM
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jbone
1193 posts
Feb 16, 2013
7:28 PM
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@nacoran- I may have been mistaken about a LLD harp.
tThe expense has turned out to be a delay for me at least until I play several more gigs!
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